Macron calls for dialogue with Russia at the start of his country's presidency of the European Union

At the beginning of his country's presidency of the Council of the European Union, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an intense exchange of views with Russia.

"I think the European Union should have a dialogue with Russia," Macron said, on the sidelines of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to the European Union Commission in Paris.

Macron made it clear that holding a dialogue does not mean making concessions.

Macron has also been open to talking with Russia about new agreements to reduce the risks of medium-range missiles and nuclear weapons.

He also referred to the termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty after the United States abandoned land-based systems capable of delivering intermediate-range nuclear weapons.

He added that because of this "unilateral decision", Europe was no longer covered by the treaty.

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