France wants to work with Russia to end Syria conflict

Russia – Syria – Telephone conversation between M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, and Mr Vladimir Putin, President of Russia – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 23 April 2018

The French President spoke on the telephone this morning to Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.

He recalled the legitimate framework of the operation conducted on 14 April with the United States and the United Kingdom against the Syrian regime’s chemical capabilities, in order for international law to be respected. It was necessary to combine our efforts to put a stop to the Syrian programme and the regime’s acts of violence against its people.

He signalled France’s desire to increase efforts from now on, through dialogue with all the powers concerned, to trigger a credible political process and step up humanitarian action to help civilians, and he stressed in particular his desire to work with Russia on this.

This, among other things, is the purpose of the work under way at the United Nations Security Council, whose aim must be to unite the international community and shoulder our responsibilities together in order to restore peace to Syria.

The French President and the President of Russia also confirmed their desire to have a full bilateral and international agenda when the French President visits Russia on 24 and 25 May./.