The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
French president voices ‘deep concerns’
As fears of military confrontation between Russia and the west mounted, French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday expressed his “deep concerns” over the situation in Syria in a phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Mr Macron called for dialogue between France and Russia to “continue and intensify” to bring peace and stability to Syria.
The Kremlin said Mr Putin warned against rushing to blame the Syrian government before conducting a “thorough and objective probe”.
The Russian leader warned against “illconsidered and dangerous actions that would have consequences beyond conjecture”.
Mr Putin and Mr Macron instructed their foreign and defence ministers to maintain close contact to “de-escalate the situation”, the Kremlin said.
The French have claimed they have proof that the Syrian government, which counts Russia among its key allies, conducted the chlorine gas attack in Douma last Saturday which left dozens dead.