The conversation was featured in a new two-hour documentary “A President, Europe and War” about the French president and has been criticized by the Kremlin as a violation of “diplomatic etiquette”. The phone call held on Feb. 20 was Macron’s latest attempt to lead Putin away from escalating tensions and unleashing war when Russia invaded his neighbor four days later.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the fragment of the documentary that the discussion was never made for television.
He added that the publication of the nine-minute discussion broke diplomatic protocol and the supposed confidentiality of such exchanges.
He said: “The diplomatic etiquette does not provide for unilateral leaks of such recordings.”
Kremlin spokesman Maria Zakharova also criticized the documentary, saying: “When Maron called the Russian president, the entire conversation was taped by journalists who filmed it.
“This is an example of the strange way they interpret the word diplomacy.”
In a rare move, countries in the West found themselves agreeing with Russia’s comments, with diplomats in Paris expressing their shock that the segment had been approved to be broadcast on France 2.
Russian state news has used the clip from the documentary as evidence that the West does not understand diplomacy and negotiations, which will now be used in Russian propaganda.
Ria Novosti, a state news agency in Russia, said: “The French have not respected diplomatic negotiating rules for a long time.”
READ MORE: ‘Enough is enough’ Sajid Javid gives Boris a killer blow in Commons
Not only did Macron reach diplomatic protocol with the Russian president, but also with Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky whose conversations were also recorded by the television crew.
Diplomats from embassies in Paris have said foreign leaders will keep such a breach in mind in the future and not be so open to Macron.
Speaking with Putin, Macron told the Russian: “I need you to help me a little.
“The situation on the contact line is very tense. I really urged Zelensky yesterday to calm down.”
Putin reportedly took the call from his gym as thousands of his troops gathered on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
NOT MISSING:
POLL: Is it time for Boris Johnson to resign? (POL)
John McEnroe was furious about the role of the royal family at Wimbledon (REACTION)
‘Complete breakdown of Russian gas!’ EU in disarray by affected countries (INSIGHT)
Macron asked if Russia’s “military exercises” would end the next day as stated, to which Putin replied, “Probably.”
The French president then said: “Do not give in to provocations of any kind in the coming hours and days.”
A talk between Macron and Boris Johnson saw the prime minister express his concern over an increasingly frustrated and angry Russian president.
Johnson told Macron: “Every time we talk to Vladimir Putin, I get the impression that he is more aggressive.
“I think we sound a little weak. He wants to get what he wants. He won’t stop there.”
Commenting on the documentary, many noted that Macron’s portrayal as a leader in the diplomatic discussions surrounding the lead-up to the war in Ukraine was actually false.
Viewers instead saw President Macron in an unfavorable light, where he is manipulated by the Russian president.