Lavrov calls Macron's remarks about his intention to speak with Putin "pathetic diplomacy"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron for publicly saying he intended to call Russian leader Vladimir Putin without actually doing so, describing it as "pathetic diplomacy".

Lavrov criticised Macron for speaking about plans to talk to the Russian leader while not having called him.

"You know, this is not serious – it is some kind of pathetic diplomacy. If you want to call and discuss something seriously, then call. Putin will always pick up the phone. He will always listen to any proposals. And if it comes to serious proposals, I assure you they will not be left without a serious, concrete and practical response," the Russian foreign minister said in an interview with RT, a Russian government-funded news television network.

Two weeks earlier, Lavrov described Macron's remarks about plans to speak with Putin as grandstanding for public attention.

Earlier this week, Macron told journalists that the Élysée Palace continues efforts to restore dialogue with Putin, adding that this is being done in consultation with Ukraine.

Unofficial reports said that on 4 February, a diplomatic adviser to Macron visited Moscow for talks on Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Estonian President Alar Karis called for the appointment of a special European envoy to hold talks with Russia, naming Macron as one of the potential candidates.

The Estonian government sharply criticised this call by the president and stressed that it sees no alternative other than continued pressure on Russia and its diplomatic isolation.