"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 his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone for the first time in more than two and a half years. Following the more than two-hour conversation between the two,