Kremlin Responds Harshly to French Side's Disclosure of 'Secret' Conversation

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not tell his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that the idea of recognizing the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) would not be considered. This was stated by the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian commented on the results of the negotiations between the heads of state, stating that the Russian leader allegedly told Macron that the initiative to recognize the self-proclaimed republics could be disregarded. The Minister added that otherwise, it would jeopardize the Minsk agreements.

“Of course, the issue of a bill was raised. It was clarified that this is not a bill, but an initiative, and that no bill exists in this regard. It seems the same, but everything is different,” Peskov clarified.

He also quoted statements from the conversation between the two presidents, which are preserved in the transcript of the meeting: “Putin: We do not have a bill, we do not have any bill, this is an initiative of the Communist Party of Russia. That is their initiative, and the main ruling party, 'United Russia', does not support it, but such an initiative exists,” the Kremlin representative noted.

Moreover, he added that the conversation took place before the voting in the State Duma: “It is important that the nuances here are distorted in the Minister's statement. In such a sensitive and responsible situation as today's, this is extremely harmful,” Peskov emphasized.

He also drew attention to the fact that the French Foreign Minister is disclosing details of the confidential negotiations between the heads of state: “This will simply hinder the leaders' ability to speak confidently with each other next time, if they are not sure that what is said will not be disseminated in the media days later. This restricts them. We never disclose the content of such negotiations,” he stated.

This week, the State Duma voted in favor of a Communist proposal suggesting addressing the President of Russia regarding the necessity for the recognition of the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR. As reported by the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, the document will be sent to the head of state immediately.

Commenting on this decision, Putin noted that the deputies are sensitively attuned to the opinions of their voters, who are sympathetic to the residents of Donbas and support them. He added that he would address the need to resolve the issue in that region, considering the possibilities that have been fully utilized for the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

It is worth noting that the conflict in eastern Ukraine has been ongoing for almost eight years, during which UN estimates indicate more than 13,000 casualties, with around 44,000 others injured. De-escalation efforts are being discussed during a meeting of the contact group in the capital of Belarus, using the Minsk agreements as a basis. The document provides for constitutional reforms, a ceasefire, and withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have concentrated a large part of their army at the border with the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR and are regularly shelling militia forces, including using prohibited equipment.