French minister holds first talks with Russia in nearly two years

FRANCE’S defence minister shared his first phone call in 22 months with his Russian counterpart to signal his country’s willingness to increase communication to battle “terrorism” after the deadly Moscow attack.

The pair also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Sebastien Lecornu reaffirming French support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia, the French defence ministry said. Such high-level contact between a senior Russian official close to Vladimir Putin and a top minister from a European power has been rare in the two years since Russia’s invasion. Mr Lecornu and Sergei Shoigu last held phone talks in October 2022.

The March 22 attack in Moscow revived security fears for the Paris Olympics which begin on July 26. Mr

‘France is prepared for increased exchanges with the aim of fighting this threat effectively’

Lecornu told Mr Shoigu that France was always ready to face down “terrorism” and was prepared for “increased exchanges with the aim of fighting this threat as effectively as possible”, the French defence ministry said.

Putin has acknowledged that “radical Islamists” were behind the attack that left at least 144 people dead, but suggested they were linked to Ukraine. Mr Lecornu said that France had no information to establish a link to Ukraine, urging Moscow “to stop all instrumentalisation” of the attack.

Mr Lecornu reiterated “France’s firm condemnation and solidarity with the victims and their families”, the ministry said, adding that he “also unreservedly condemned the war of aggression that Russia has launched in Ukraine”.

Mr Lecornu reportedly reminded Mr Shoigu that “France will continue to support Ukraine as long and as intensely as necessary in its fight for freedom and sovereignty”, the French ministry added.