Putin-Macron Call: Russia Warns NATO as Middle East Tensions Rise

In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first phone conversation in nearly three years on July 7, 2025. The two-hour discussion focused on two major conflicts: the ongoing Ukraine situation and the recent outbreak of war between Israel and Iran, including U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Putin directly challenged NATO's role, stating that while NATO initiated the Ukraine conflict, Russia would end it on its terms. The call marked the end of a diplomatic freeze that began in 2022 when Moscow accused Macron of breaching protocol by leaking conversation details. On Iran, both leaders found common ground, agreeing that Iran has the right to pursue civilian nuclear energy and calling for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation. Macron's appeal for a ceasefire in Ukraine was firmly rebuffed by Putin, who emphasized that the conflict resulted from Western policies that ignored Russia's security interests. The Kremlin's statement highlighted Putin's position that Western nations had created an anti-Russian stance, leading to the current situation.