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Macron’s Envoy Emmanuel Bonne Meets Kremlin Adviser to Lay Groundwork for Franco‑Russian Talks

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    Image: Le Monde
    Le Monde Source Full size
  • Emmanuel Macron et Emmanuel Bonne, conseiller diplomatique, à Paris, le 17 avril 2025.LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
    Image: Le Monde
    Emmanuel Macron et Emmanuel Bonne, conseiller diplomatique, à Paris, le 17 avril 2025.LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP) Source Full size

Bonne’s Moscow Visit Scheduled and Low‑Profile Emmanuel Bonne, head of the Élysée’s diplomatic cell, travelled to Moscow on 5 February 2026 and held a discreet meeting with Iouri Ouchakov, the Kremlin chief’s diplomatic adviser [1]. The trip was deliberately kept out of the spotlight and took place apart from the multilateral negotiations that resumed on 4 February in Abu Dhabi among Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives [1]. French officials described the encounter as preparatory, aiming to re‑open channels for President Emmanuel Macron and President Vladimir Putin [1].

Purpose Focused on Technical Coordination with Ukraine and Europe During the discussion, Bonne emphasized technical coordination with Ukraine and key European partners, stressing transparency and cooperation with President Volodymyr Zelensky [1]. The talks were framed as “technical” rather than political, seeking to establish mechanisms that could survive broader diplomatic tensions [1]. French sources indicated that these technical tracks are proceeding in concert with European counterparts to ensure continuity regardless of Putin’s stance [1].

Link to Macron’s December 2025 Announcement President Macron announced in December 2025, while visiting Haute‑Saône, his intention to restart dialogue with Putin, describing it as a preparation “from a technical point of view” [1]. Bonne’s meeting is presented as a concrete step in that preparation, with Macron later reiterating that the groundwork remains “useful” even though Putin shows no sign of ending hostilities [1]. The French administration views the Moscow visit as a validation of the December 2025 commitment.

Timing and Publication Details Le Monde first published the story at 09:58 UTC on 5 February 2026 and issued an update at 14:16 UTC the same day [1]. The article provides a timeline that aligns the Moscow meeting with the broader diplomatic activity in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the coordinated French effort across multiple fronts [1]. The report underscores the strategic timing of the visit within the evolving European security landscape [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 20, 2025 – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says President Vladimir Putin “is ready to talk to President Emmanuel Macron if there is mutual political will,” signalling conditional openness to dialogue with France[4].

Dec 2025 – President Macron announces his intent to restart talks with Putin, describing the effort as “technical preparation” for renewed Franco‑Russian dialogue and emphasizing its usefulness despite ongoing hostilities[5].

Jan 2026 (early) – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte sends Trump a message praising “the incredible work” in Syria, pledging to highlight it at Davos and stating, “I am committed to finding a way forward on Greenland” – a text later confirmed authentic by the alliance[1][2][3].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump posts on Truth Social private texts from NATO chief Rutte and French President Macron; Macron’s note congratulates Trump on his Middle‑East work but adds, “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” framing the dispute publicly[1].

Jan 20, 2026 – In a private message, Macron begins with “My friend” and notes that France and the United States are “totally in line on Syria” and can “do great things on Iran” before raising the Greenland question, inviting cooperation to “build great things”[2].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump shares a joint text from Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb proposing a de‑escalation call on Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine and tariff issues, showing allied willingness to coordinate with the U.S.[3].

Jan 20, 2026 – Trump replies that NATO should do more for the United States and adds a provocative remark about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, linking the Nobel comment to his “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” stance in a separate message to Norway’s leader[3][2].

Jan 20, 2026 – Macron proposes a post‑Davos G7 meeting in Paris, suggesting attendance by Denmark, Ukraine, Syria and Russia and a dinner with Trump before the President returns to the United States, indicating a push for a broad multilateral forum[1][3][2].

Feb 4, 2026 – Multilateral negotiations resume in Abu Dhabi among Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives, providing the diplomatic backdrop for France’s low‑profile Moscow outreach[5].

Feb 5, 2026 – Emmanuel Bonne, head of the Élysée’s diplomatic cell, meets Kremlin adviser Iouri Ouchakov in Moscow to lay groundwork for renewed Franco‑Russian talks, a discreet visit separate from the Abu Dhabi talks and building on Macron’s December 2025 announcement[5].

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