Putin, Macron discuss Middle East, Ukraine in first phone call since 2022: Kremlin

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday discussed the Middle East and Ukraine situations in their first phone conversation since 2022, according to the Kremlin.

The two presidents stressed the importance of respecting Iran's legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy and continuing its commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Both leaders underlined political and diplomatic means to resolve the crisis surrounding Iran's nuclear program and other conflicts in the Middle East.

Regarding the situation around Ukraine, Putin said that the Ukrainian conflict is "a direct consequence of Western policies," adding that such policies are now "prolonging hostilities" by supplying Ukraine with various modern weapons.

On prospects for a peaceful settlement, Putin stressed comprehensive and long-term solutions that address the root causes of the Ukraine crisis and "take into account new territorial realities."

The conversation between the two leaders was "substantive," the Kremlin said.