Lavrov Slams Macron's Push for Putin Talks as 'Pathetic Diplomacy'

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized French efforts to restart dialogue between President Emmanuel Macron and President Vladimir Putin, labeling it "pathetic diplomacy."
• Lavrov's comments came shortly after Macron's top diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, visited Moscow for high-level talks aimed at resuming direct communication.
• Macron and Putin have not spoken since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Macron consistently advocating for direct engagement with Moscow.
• Emmanuel Bonne reportedly met with Yury Ushakov, a senior aide to Putin, to prepare for a potential resumption of talks.
• French officials and the Kremlin declined to confirm or deny Bonne's visit, though Macron stated "technical talks" were underway with Moscow, in consultation with President Zelenskyy and European allies.