Paris, Dec. 21 (LaPresse) – "The invasion of Ukraine and President Putin's obstinacy have ended any possibility of dialogue" over the past three years, "now that the prospect of a ceasefire and peace negotiations is becoming clearer, it is useful again to talk with Putin." This was stated by the Élysée, cited by French media, regarding the possibility of a meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Macron stated on Friday that "it would be useful again" for Europeans to talk with Putin, rather than letting the United States manage the negotiations alone to end the conflict in Ukraine. Macron and Putin had their last phone conversation on July 1, the first in three years. The French presidency welcomed the fact that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Vladimir Putin is "ready for dialogue" with Emmanuel Macron. "It is positive that the Kremlin has publicly accepted this approach. We will decide in the coming days the best way to proceed," emphasized the Élysée, adding that any discussion with Moscow will be conducted "in total transparency" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Europeans. The goal remains to achieve a "solid and lasting peace" for the Ukrainian people.