Macron, Erdogan discuss Iran ceasefire and Ukraine

Macron and Erdogan spoke April 11, 2026 on Iran ceasefire talks, Lebanon, Hormuz navigation, and the Ukraine war after meeting in Egypt.

Lauren Collins ·

Macron, Erdogan discuss Iran ceasefire and Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke on Saturday, April 11, 2026, about ongoing Iran ceasefire negotiations and the war in Ukraine, according to Macron’s public account of the exchange. The call followed their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where both leaders attended the Gaza International Peace Summit.

Macron said the conversation was mainly centered on the Middle East. In that context, the two presidents urged all parties to respect the ceasefire and said this should also apply to Lebanon. They also stressed the need to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor for global energy and trade flows.

Both leaders highlighted what they described as the need for a strong and lasting diplomatic outcome to support regional stability. Their remarks, as presented by Macron, framed the ceasefire discussions as part of a broader push for a durable political settlement rather than a short-term pause in tensions.

The call also covered the conflict in Ukraine, reflecting what the leaders described as wider international concern about security pressures that extend beyond any single region. The inclusion of Ukraine alongside Middle East issues underscored how European and regional powers are engaging across multiple crises at the same time.

For markets and policymakers, the issues raised in the call touch on two areas with direct global relevance: maritime security and geopolitical risk. Freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz is closely watched by governments and investors because disruptions can affect shipping routes, insurance costs, and energy supply chains. Separately, continued diplomatic attention to Ukraine remains central to Europe’s security agenda and to broader international coordination on conflict management.

At the same time, key uncertainties remain based on the information provided. Macron did not detail the status of the Iran ceasefire negotiations, the specific parties involved in the call’s ceasefire appeal, or any concrete next steps agreed with Erdogan. The leaders’ emphasis on a durable diplomatic solution indicates intent, but the timeline and mechanisms for achieving it were not specified.

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