Dan Wootton says Macron has been ‘humiliated’ by Putin

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The French President has remained in contact with his Russian counterpart amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But journalist Clea Caulcutt said Mr Macron does not appear to have had an impact on Mr Putin’s actions.

Writing for Politico, Ms Caulcutt said: “No other leader spends as much time talking to Putin as Macron.

“Not only have the two men spoken 11 times in the last month — on one occasion twice in the same day — but, in a break with its tradition of discretion, the Elysée Palace has given a blow-by-blow account of the calls between them, offering a glimpse of their relationship.

“Macron may have managed to keep a line of communication open.

“What he hasn’t been able to do is demonstrate any sign of having influenced Putin’s behaviour.

“In February, as Russian troops massed on the border of Ukraine, Macron flew to Moscow, where he sat at a very long table and tried to convince Putin to show restraint.

“A couple of weeks later, Russia launched its invasion.”

Despite the apparent lack of progress, Ms Caulcutt said the French President is “unlikely to break off talks with Putin anytime soon”.

She added: “The view in France is that the French president is the person best-placed to keep the lines of communication open — even if he doesn’t have much to show for his effort so far.”

Ms Caulcutt’s comments come after Mr Macron on Monday admitted he sees no impending breakthrough with Moscow on its war in Ukraine.

Speaking at a campaign event, the French President said: “We will continue to talk to Russia, even though discussions with President Putin are difficult.

“I don’t think that in the coming days and weeks, there will be a real negotiated solution.”

Following a call between Mr Macron and Mr Putin last week, an Élysée official concluded: “We expect that the worst is yet to come.”

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The pair most recently spoke on Sunday.

It comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its third week today.

Mr Macron is not the only leader to remain in contact with the Russian President.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held talks in Moscow with Mr Putin.

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