Bangladesh, July 5 -- In a rare direct communication after nearly three years of silence, French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a telephone conversation on July 1, focusing largely on nuclear non-proliferation and the Middle East. The dialogue, which was initiated by Macron, revealed both convergence and divergence in priorities between the two leaders, underscoring the complexity of global diplomacy amid escalating crises in both Ukraine and Iran.

Speaking to reporters on July 5, Macron explained that the primary impetus for reaching out to Putin was the escalating tensions surrounding Irans nuclear program. The French president emphasized the importance of upholding the Treaty on the Non-Proli...