France, Dec. 21 -- "It is welcome that the Kremlin has publicly agreed to this approach. We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed," the Elysee said on Sunday.

The French presidency stressed, however, that any discussion with Moscow would be conducted "in full transparency" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies, and that its goal remained to secure a "solid and lasting peace" for Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin had "expressed readiness to engage in dialogue" with his French counterpart in an interview published Sunday by state news agency RIA Novosti.

Macron calls Putin a 'predator' while backing new push for Ukraine peace talks 'Useful' to talk to Putin

Macron earlier i...