"Putin might use this perceived distraction as an opportunity to obtain further territory," a retired U.S. Colonel told Newsweek.

It was the two leaders’ first call since 2022, and the Russian president’s first with any major European leader since last year.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had spoken this evening, July 1, an informed source said to RBC-Ukraine. According to the source, Macron called Zelenskyy after his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.