If There Is Mutual Political Will: Russia Signals Openness As France Prepares To Reopen Putin-Macron Dialogue
In December 2025, Macron had said he thinks "it will become useful again to talk to" his Russian counterpart. Image courtesy: X.com
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russia and France are in contact at a working level, signalling a tentative step toward renewed dialogue between the two countries after months of diplomatic freeze over the Ukraine war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that while contacts are ongoing, there is nothing substantive to announce yet.
“Indeed, there are certain contacts at the working level, but we cannot yet announce anything noteworthy,” he told reporters in Moscow on Wednesday (February 4, 2026).
What did Macron say about restarting talks with Putin?
The Kremlin’s remarks followed comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said preparatory work was underway to resume direct discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking during a visit to northeastern France, Macron said technical-level discussions were being conducted to prepare for renewed dialogue.
He stressed that the process was being carried out transparently and in coordination with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France’s key European partners. Macron, however, struck a cautious note, saying he did not believe Russia was currently ready to conclude a peace agreement “in the coming days or even weeks.”
Why does France see dialogue as necessary now?
Macron has repeatedly argued that European countries must maintain their own channels of communication with Moscow, rather than relying on intermediaries. In December 2025, he said Europeans and Ukrainians have a “vested interest” in shaping the framework of any future engagement with Russia.
Without such dialogue, Macron warned, Europe risks being sidelined while others negotiate directly with Moscow.
How has Russia responded to Macron’s outreach?
The Kremlin has signalled conditional openness. Peskov previously said that Putin is willing to engage in dialogue with Macron, provided there is “mutual political will.” Russian officials have framed renewed contact as potentially positive, while stopping short of committing to any formal negotiations.
The diplomatic signals come as the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and the United States is set to expire, a development Moscow says will leave the world in a more dangerous position. Peskov reiterated that Russia has not received a response from Washington on President Putin’s proposal to extend the treaty, which caps deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 each for both sides.
“For the first time, the US and the Russian Federation will be left without a fundamental document that would limit and control these arsenals,” Peskov warned, calling the situation “very bad.”
What is Russia’s message on Europe’s Arctic ambitions?
Peskov also weighed in on remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who called for a new EU Arctic policy. He stressed that Russia is a regional Arctic power, unlike most EU states. Moscow, he said, would welcome a policy based on international cooperation, but not one driven by confrontation.
