Macron and Putin back in contact. Which other world leaders maintaining dialogue with Kremlin

For the first time in nearly three years, French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. One of the main topics of discussion was the war in Ukraine. However, France is not the only country whose leaders are currently maintaining contact with the aggressor.
More on the talks between Macron and Putin, as well as which other Western politicians are engaging with the Kremlin chief, in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
Key questions
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What did Macron discuss with Putin on July 1, 2025?
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When was the last time the leaders of France and Russia spoke?
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Which other world leaders are maintaining contact with the Kremlin?
Macron and Putin resume dialogue
On the evening of Monday, July 1, 2025, it was revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin — their first contact in nearly three years.
The conversation lasted around two hours and focused primarily on the war in Ukraine. They also touched on the situation involving Israel and Iran, and discussed US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Following the call, the Élysée Palace stated that the French president "reaffirmed his unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Macron also urged Putin to immediately establish a ceasefire and initiate negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for a "solid and lasting resolution of the conflict." The two sides reportedly agreed to continue discussions on this matter.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin presented its own version of the conversation. According to the Russian side, Putin claimed that the conflict in Ukraine was the result of Western policies, accusing Western countries of "ignoring Russia’s security interests" and creating an "anti-Russian stronghold" in Ukraine.
The Russian leader also referred to alleged "violations of the rights of Russian speakers" and accused the West of prolonging the hostilities by supplying weapons. Putin emphasized that any resolution must involve "eliminating the root causes of the crisis" and "taking into account new territorial realities."
According to RBC-Ukraine sources, after speaking with Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to brief him on the details of the conversation with the Russian President.
Background of Macron–Putin contacts
At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Emmanuel Macron maintained contact with Vladimir Putin. In just the first week of the war, the two leaders spoke four times.
For example, on February 28, 2022, they held a call lasting about an hour and a half. During the conversation, Macron insisted on an immediate ceasefire, while Putin claimed that the Russian military operation was "going according to Moscow’s plan." The French president also expressed concern at the time that "the worst is yet to come."
The last known conversation between Macron and Putin before the recent call took place on September 11, 2022. The main topic was the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Putin accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the plant, while Macron stressed the need to ensure the plant’s safety, withdraw Russian troops, and follow IAEA recommendations. They also discussed the export of Ukrainian grain.
After that call, contact between the French and Russian leaders ceased — until now. Macron himself explained that he had cut off communication with the Kremlin leader following Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.
However, in February 2025, during his first meeting with US President Donald Trump after Trump assumed office, Macron suggested that a renewed dialogue with the Kremlin might be possible, citing a "new context."
"I ended contacts with Putin after Bucha and the war crimes committed by Russia. But now, there’s a new administration in the US, which means a new context. There is a strong reason to resume contacts with President Putin,” Macron stated.
He also noted that world leaders had experience negotiating with Russia back in 2014, but due to a lack of guarantees — especially security guarantees — Putin had violated the peace. The French president emphasized that any peace agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine must be based on preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Which other world leaders are speaking with Putin?
Emmanuel Macron is not the first Western leader to resume contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the war in Ukraine. In fact, a number of European politicians have never ceased dialogue or cooperation with the Kremlin, despite Russia’s full-scale aggression.
US President Donald Trump
Following his election victory, Donald Trump has spoken with Vladimir Putin multiple times by phone. Between May and June 2025 alone, the two leaders held three calls:
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May 19, 2025 – The conversation lasted over two hours, during which Trump initiated a discussion on a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Kremlin claimed it was allegedly ready to work on a peace memorandum to establish a ceasefire once agreements were reached.
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June 4, 2025 – The US and Russian presidents discussed Ukraine’s Spiderweb operation, which targeted Russian military airfields, as well as Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump suggested that Ukraine and Russia should be "allowed to fight a bit longer," after which it would be easier to end the war. During the call, he reportedly compared the war to "a fight between kids in a park." However, following the conversation, the US president stated that tough sanctions could be imposed if no agreement was reached.
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June 14, 2025 – Another call took place to address the escalation in the Middle East, the exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, and the prospects of continuing negotiations. Trump described the situation as "very concerning."
German chancellors
In November 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held his first phone conversation with Vladimir Putin in two years. Scholz condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine, called for the withdrawal of Russian troops, and urged the start of negotiations to achieve a just peace.
In response, Putin insisted on maintaining Russian control over the occupied territories and demanded that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join NATO. He also accused the West of contributing to the "degradation of relations."
In contrast to Scholz, the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, recently stated that he currently sees no point in speaking with Putin. According to him, such contacts in the past did not lead to any de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has maintained communication with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In July of last year, he visited Moscow, becoming the first EU leader to visit Russia since February 2022.
On December 11, 2024, the Hungarian prime minister held a phone conversation with Putin. They discussed the situation in Ukraine, the ceasefire, and the possibility of peace negotiations. They also touched on bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Orbán expressed the view that Europe would not be able to support Ukraine without help from the United States.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has also maintained contacts with the Kremlin. On December 22, 2024, he visited Moscow and met with Vladimir Putin. According to official statements, the leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, the possibility of a swift resolution to the conflict, and bilateral relations. One of the topics was the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
Additionally, on May 9, 2025, Robert Fico traveled to Moscow to participate in the Victory Day events commemorating the end of World War II. He was the only leader of an EU member state to attend these celebrations, despite calls from the European Union urging leaders not to participate in the festivities in Russia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić
Aleksandar Vučić and Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on October 20, 2024, after a break of two and a half years. During the call, the Serbian president assured the Kremlin leader that Serbia would not impose sanctions on Russia and expressed gratitude for gas supplies.
On March 7, 2025, they had another phone conversation in which Vučić confirmed to Putin that he would visit Moscow on May 9, 2025. He attended the Victory Day celebrations alongside Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Later, the Serbian president explained his trip to Russia as fulfilling a promise to Putin, despite criticism from the EU and the risk of sanctions. Following this, on June 11, 2025, Aleksandar Vučić made his first official visit to Ukraine.
Sources: materials from BFMTV, RTL, DW, CNN, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and statements from the Kremlin press service.