Macron calls Lukashenko for first time in four years

French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, the first such contact in four years. The call was confirmed by Lukashenko's press service.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, marking the first direct contact between the two leaders in four years. The conversation was confirmed by Lukashenko's press service.

The call represents a notable diplomatic development, as Western leaders have largely shunned Lukashenko following the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election and the subsequent violent crackdown on protesters. Macron's decision to re-establish direct communication signals a potential shift in France's approach to Belarus.

The specific topics discussed during the call have not been fully disclosed. The timing of the outreach comes amid broader European efforts to navigate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, in which Belarus has played a significant supporting role for Russia.