Putin Speaks With France’s Macron, Discuss Syria

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron, at the latter’s initiative, the Kremlin said Friday.

According to the Kremlin, the two leaders continued their exchange of opinions on the Syrian issue. Vladimir Putin informed his counterpart about the agreements reached at the meeting between the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey in Astana on April 4 regarding further efforts to ensure long-term stability in Syria and to strengthen its sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.

The presidents noted the importance of promoting political settlement through the implementation of the decisions reached at the National Syrian Dialogue Congress in Sochi, as well as the importance of establishing the Constitutional Committee in Geneva under the aegis of the UN as soon as possible.

With regard to the situation in Eastern Ghouta, President Putin and President Macron focused on the unprecedented large-scale operation to rescue civilians and evacuate the militants who refuse to surrender, which is reaching completion, the Kremlin said. The President of Russia stressed the central importance of consolidating efforts of the global community in providing humanitarian aid to those in need across the Syrian Arab Republic pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2401.

The leaders expressed their readiness to continue Russian-French consultations on key aspects of the Syrian settlement.

The presidents also covered some topical issues of Russia-France relations in view of Emmanuel Macron’s upcoming visit to Russia in May 2018, the Kremlin said.