"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.

Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday spoke by telephone for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, with the French President urging a ceasefire in Ukraine but the Russian leader hitting back that the West was to blame for the conflict.