Belarus Says Macron Initiated Phone Call with Lukashenko
Belarus claimed on May 24 that French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to state-owned news outlet BelTA. The two discussed regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France. The French presidency has not yet commented on the call.
Belarus claimed on May 24 that French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, according to state-owned news outlet BelTA, citing Lukashenko's press service.
"A phone call between the presidents of Belarus and France, Alexander Lukashenko and Emmanuel Macron, has taken place today at the initiative of the French side," BelTA quoted Lukashenko's press service as saying. The two leaders discussed "regional issues and Belarus's relations with the EU and France in particular," the statement said.
The French presidency has not yet commented on the call.
The reported contact comes amid broader European efforts to reopen dialogue with Moscow and its allies. In December, Macron said Europeans should resume direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In February, Macron told journalists that efforts to restore dialogue with Putin at a technical level were underway, conducted in consultation with Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he supported dialogue with Russia on condition it does not interfere with the negotiation process on ending the war.