In a rare direct communication after nearly three years of silence, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a telephone conversation on July 1, focusing largely on nuclear non-proliferation and the Middle East. The dialogue, which was initiated by Macron, revealed both convergence and divergence in priorities between the two leaders, underscoring the complexity of global diplomacy amid escalating crises in both Ukraine and Iran.

Speaking to reporters on July 5, Macron explained that the primary impetus for reaching out to Putin was the escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The French president emphasized the importance of upholding the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), a cornerstone of global nuclear diplomacy to which both France and Russia are signatories as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

“I called him first on the Iranian issue and the necessity of maintaining the non-proliferation treaty,” Macron told journalists, as reported by BFMTV. “It was very important to reach an agreement, because France also bears responsibility for ensuring stability.”

According to the Kremlin’s readout of the conversation, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, while also stressing Tehran’s responsibilities under the NPT framework. The discussion gains urgency in light of Tehran’s recent decision to suspend cooperation with the International........

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