Russia's defense minister recently cautioned France about the potential deployment of troops to Ukraine during a rare phone call. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that if France proceeds with sending a military contingent to Ukraine, it could lead to problems for France. This warning came following French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks in February suggesting the possibility of Western troops being sent to Ukraine.
The call between the Russian and French defense ministers marked their first contact since October 2022. During the conversation, the Russian defense minister expressed Moscow's willingness to engage in dialogue on Ukraine and emphasized the importance of Russia's involvement in peace talks. He mentioned a draft document that was discussed during Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul in March 2022, which proposed Ukraine's neutrality and abandonment of its NATO aspirations.
