Moscow: The Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, stressed, during a phone call, the importance of respecting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Kremlin stated that Putin and Macron discussed the situation in the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Iran and the Zionist entity, as well as US attacks on Iranian facilities. The leaders highlighted the significance of diplomatic approaches to address the crisis involving Iran and other Middle Eastern conflicts.

The Kremlin reported that during the conversation, Putin remarked that the conflict in Ukraine is a consequence of Western policies. He claimed that Western countries have long aimed to create an anti-Russian base in Ukraine, which has now led to prolonged fighting. Putin conveyed to Macron that any resolution to the Ukrainian crisis must be comprehensive, addressing the root causes and considering the realities on the ground.

The Kremlin further confirmed that both leaders agreed to maintain communication to explore opportunities for coordinating their positions on a settlement in the Middle East. They underscored the importance of respecting Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy while ensuring compliance with obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, including cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.