Call reveals Russia’s Putin told Macron he ‘wanted to play ice hockey’ on eve of Ukraine invasion

The final call between the French and Russian leaders just four days before Putin ordered the attack on Ukraine is filled with tension and bizarre moments

The confidential discussion will be broadcast as the centrepiece of a documentary on Macron’s handling of the war next week

Reading Time:3 minutes

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) greets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Paris. File photo: Kremlin/dpa

Published: 11:12am, 25 Jun 2022

“Vladimir, firstly one thing!” says President Emmanuel Macron as he seeks to make a point to his Russian counterpart. “Listen Emmanuel,” interjects the Russian leader.

The final call between the presidents of France and Russia just four days before Putin issued the order for Moscow to invade Ukraine is filled with tension, occasional expressions of respect and moments of the bizarre.

With Europe’s peace in question, it even ends with Putin saying that he was supposed to be playing ice hockey and was conducting the conversation from a sports hall.

In a hugely unusual glimpse into a confidential telephone call between heads of state, Macron and his team were filmed at the Elysee taking the call and the footage will now be broadcast as the centrepiece of a documentary on the French president’s handling of the Ukraine war to be aired Thursday on France 2 TV.

The call took place on the morning of February 20 as the French leader made what turned out to be a fruitless attempt to stop Russia from going to war. He also proposed a summit with US President Joe Biden that Russia would turn its back on.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x