French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the need for a well-organized European dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning that such discussions should involve only a limited number of participants.

In a recent interview with European media outlets, including Le Monde and the Financial Times, Macron highlighted that initial technical contacts with Moscow confirmed Russia is not seeking peace at the moment, but have helped reopen communication channels at a technical level.

Macron said these exchanges aim to establish a clear European strategy, avoiding an overcomplicated structure with “too many interlocutors.” He stressed the importance of Europe maintaining control over the dialogue, rather than delegating it to the United States, despite renewed U.S.-Russia contacts since Donald Trump’s return to office.

“The geography will not change,” Macron warned. “Whether we like it or not, Russia will continue to be there, at our doorstep.” He added that when Moscow and Kyiv eventually reach a peace agreement, a new European security architecture will need to be built in collaboration with Russia.

Macron first indicated his intention to restore direct exchanges with Putin in December 2025 and recently sent his diplomatic advisor to Moscow to prepare these talks. He reiterated that the European approach should be structured, limited, and clearly mandated, ensuring that any future dialogue is both effective and coherent.