Details of the Conversation Between the Defense Ministers of Russia and France Revealed

Since October 2022, this is the first phone conversation between the defense ministers of Russia and France. The Russian and French defense ministers, Sergey Shoigu and Sébastien Lecornu, spoke on the phone at the initiative of the French side. This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The French defense minister expressed condolences regarding the terrorist attack that occurred on March 22, 2024, at the Crocus City Hall concert hall. At the same time, he informed his Russian counterpart that Ukraine and Western countries are not involved in the terrorism, announcing that the responsibility lies with the terrorist group known as the Islamic State (banned in Russia).

In turn, Shoigu emphasized that the investigation into the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall will be completed, and all those responsible will be punished. He stated that there is information regarding a Ukrainian trace.

The ministers also addressed the statements about sending a French military contingent to Ukraine from the Élysée Palace. In this context, Sergey Shoigu noted that if such plans are implemented, they would create problems for France itself. The parties expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue regarding Ukraine, particularly in the context of the "Istanbul Peace" initiative.