March 27, 2025 – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed key global issues, including the Gaza conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, both governments confirmed on Thursday.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two leaders addressed Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza and efforts to halt the attacks while ensuring civilian protection.
Macron stated on X that he and the Crown Prince condemned Israel’s resumption of strikes on Gaza and commended Saudi Arabia’s work with Arab partners to establish a post-war framework. He emphasized that the upcoming June conference, cochaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aims to revive political negotiations for Israelis and Palestinians.
After nearly two months of ceasefire, Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza this week, disrupting a period of relative calm following a truce with Hamas, the governing faction in the region.
SPA reported that MBS and Macron also discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, with Macron praising Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating peace negotiations.
“I welcomed [the Crown Prince’s] Jeddah initiative, which enabled the start of peace negotiations in Ukraine,” Macron wrote on X.
The leaders further explored regional matters, including the situations in Lebanon and Syria. Macron stated that France and Saudi Arabia share the same goals for a sovereign Lebanon and a stable, unified Syria undergoing an inclusive transition.