Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron optimistic on Ukraine but clash over Syria
- Leaders also spar over crackdown on protesters in Moscow, with Putin saying he does not want ‘yellow vest’ situation in capital
- Rare visit to France by Russian leader comes just days ahead of G7 summit in Biarritz
French President Emmanuel Macron and Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Monday agreed that changes in Ukraine had bolstered the chances of peace in its east but clashed on Syria, as the Russian leader made a rare bilateral visit to a key EU power.
Macron, who hosted Putin at his summer residence in southern France, made clear he wanted to keep contacts with Moscow alive on a range of issues even at a time of spiralling tensions with the West.
Speaking as their talks got under way, the pair both expressed optimism that the arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine’s president had improved the chances of ending the half-decade conflict.
But they publicly sparred over the Syria civil war, where the Kremlin is a leading backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and also over the crackdown on protesters in Moscow.
The relationship between a youthful French leader who regards himself as a champion of European liberalism and the Russian strongman, in power for two decades, has been marked by wariness and tensions since Macron came to power in 2017.
