Shortly before the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s head of state Putin calls French President Macron. But Putin blocked the requests from Paris for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. He reproaches his interlocutor.
When state leaders talk to each other on the phone, positions are exchanged, the basis for solutions explored, and agreements may even be reached. Shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine, it appeared that French President Emmanuel Macron was still on good terms with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. They spoke to each other several times. But even there the limits were unmistakable, as can be heard in a recording for a documentary film. Putin shows little interest in reaching an agreement on the Ukraine crisis. But he blames Macron and others. Then he goes to play ice hockey.
It begins politely and with praise, the Russian President saying there is a “relationship of trust” between the two and it is always a pleasure for him to chat with Macron. He also praised his efforts and those of Chancellor Olaf Scholz to implement the Minsk Agreement. After that, however, the niceties are over and Putin begins to assign blame.
“Our dear colleague (Volodymyr) Zelenskyj doesn’t do anything,” Putin claims. “He’s lying.” The Ukrainian President violated the agreement. Putin also complains about his alleged calls for nuclear weapons, and accuses Macron of demanding revisions, i.e. trying to terminate or change treaty agreements.
The statements come from the minutes of a conversation between the two heads of state on February 20, four days before the invasion of Russian troops, which the French Élysée Palace released. In the coming days, it is to be broadcast in a television documentary on the Ukraine war by the public broadcaster France 2. Macron therefore angrily rejects both of Putin’s allegations. The Russian ruler ignores the replies of his interlocutor and continues to praise the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
“I don’t know where your lawyer studied!” Macron says, according to the report. “I don’t know which lawyer would go so far as to claim that legal texts in a sovereign country are drafted by separatists.” He then urges Putin to de-escalate. “If we want to give the dialogue a chance, then we have to calm the game down.” Macron also addressed the head of state about the Russian military exercises with Belarusian armed forces on Ukraine’s northern border. Putin says they’ll probably be over on the same day.
Macron suggests that Putin hold a summit with US President Joe Biden. But Putin lets the proposal come to nothing, the two can’t find a common denominator. Then Putin breaks off the call – on the grounds that he now wants to play ice hockey. “I’m just talking to you from the gym,” he says. Macron’s attempt to find access to Putin is in vain. On February 24, Russian troops invaded Ukraine across the border.
