Moscow, Paris resume technical levels talks as Macron urges 're-engagement' with Russia
Macron's sudden shift comes after three years of minimal contact between the two countries following the war in Ukraine
Russia and France have resumed diplomatic contacts at a technical level, the Kremlin confirmed on 10 February, marking a cautious reopening of dialogue after years of strained relations.
The development was reported by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron published the same day in the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.
Peskov said Moscow and Paris have restored technical-level communications, while adding that no talks between presidents are currently planned.
He added that renewed contacts “would allow swift organization of top-level dialogue, should it be required and necessary,” but noted that Russia has received “no indication it is required.”
Macron’s comments signaled a clear shift from earlier western efforts to isolate Moscow.
Speaking to Suddeutsche Zeitung, the French president argued that European engagement with Russia is necessary as the Ukraine war “enters its final stage,” warning that continued isolation would sideline Europe from shaping its own future.
“We have not received any similar outreach from other countries that chose the path of isolation,” Peskov said, while welcoming the French move and arguing that “serious international problems will not solve themselves, and the confrontation is not helping.”
Macron said he had encouraged several European leaders to restart dialogue with Moscow, even as some viewed the timing as premature.
“Do we want to delegate discussions on the matter to someone else?” he asked, adding that Russia “will still be there in the future. It’s our neighbor.”
He added that renewed talks could begin as early as December, emphasizing the need for Europe to remain independent from “third parties” while avoiding pressure on Ukraine.
Macron has framed the push for renewed dialogue as part of a broader argument for European strategic autonomy.
He warned that Europe is facing simultaneous external pressures, saying, “We have the Chinese tsunami on the trade front, and we have minute-by-minute instability on the American side.”
He described the combined effect as “a profound shock – a rupture for Europeans,” arguing that continued dependence on outside powers weakens the EU’s ability to act independently.
The renewed dialogue comes as Kiev seeks to secure a commitment for EU membership by 2027 in a US-mediated peace framework, a move that EU officials privately acknowledge could reshape internal debates over enlargement and Europe’s strategic autonomy.