Macron-Putin Video Summit on 26th: "Need for Clarification and Cooperation"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that they will hold a video summit on the 26th. It is expected that a wide range of issues will be discussed, from the recent cyberattacks by Russia on Western European countries and the need for clarification, to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Middle East situation.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, on the 24th (local time), the French presidential office announced that Presidents Macron and Putin will hold a video summit on the 26th. According to the French presidential office, President Macron said, "We will be able to address all difficult topics," and regarding the recent cyberattack evidence by Russia against Germany, he stated, "Clarification and cooperation will be necessary." Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed last month that evidence was found that the Russian side hacked the email account of her local constituency office.

The French presidential office emphasized, "Through the meeting of the two leaders, we hope to guarantee greater progress in resolving the crisis related to securing Europe's strategic stability, including Ukraine," and "President Macron believes it is important to consider all difficult issues jointly with Russia." Accordingly, the summit on the 26th is expected to broadly cover issues including cybersecurity, the Ukraine Crimean Peninsula issue, and Middle East matters involving Russia such as Syria, Iran, and Libya.

Previously, the summit between France and Russia was held in August last year when President Macron invited President Putin to Paris. At that time, President Macron expressed his hope that Europe and Russia could return to the relationship they once had. The European Union (EU) has continued sanctions against Russia in various sectors such as finance, defense, and energy since Russia's forced annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.