Vaccines, Navalny and Libya on the menu of discussions between Putin, Merkel and Macron

Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron spoke about the angry subjects. The three leaders discussed Tuesday on cooperation on vaccines against Covid-19, including Russian Sputnik V, on the situation of Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny and on Libya, announced the Elysee and the Kremlin. The Ukrainian dossier has not been forgotten either, as has Belarus and Iran.

During a video conference, they notably mentioned a possible cooperation in terms of vaccine, depending on the progress of the examination of the Sputnik V vaccine by the European Medicines Agency, the French presidency said. For its part, the Kremlin clarified that “possible deliveries and joint production” of Sputnik V in the countries of the European Union were discussed.

Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron also drew, according to Paris, “President Putin’s attention to the situation of Alexei Navalny and the need that his rights be respected, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights, and that his health is preserved ”. For its part, the Russian presidency indicated, without giving further details, having provided “clarifications on the objective circumstances” of the case.

The question of the ceasefire in Ukraine

According to the Elysee, the leaders also again demanded that “Russia is committed in a determined way to stabilize the ceasefire in Ukraine” and called for an “inclusive dialogue” in Belarus. The Kremlin expressed “its serious concern at the escalation of the armed confrontation provoked by Ukraine”, while deadly clashes have multiplied since January.

On Libya, the French and German leaders wished that with Russia they “weigh with all their weight to promote the transition process,” said the Elysee. They also called for continued cross-border assistance to the Syrian population. Finally, according to Paris, they agreed to “coordinate their efforts so that dialogue begins and Iran returns as quickly as possible to compliance with its obligations” in the nuclear field.