"France Faces Diplomatic Headache After 'Menacing' Call from Russia"

French President Macron denounced Russia's "bizarre and threatening" remarks following rare phone talks between the defense ministers of France and Russia, with France offering to step up exchanges to combat terrorism. Macron refuted Russian suggestions that France was involved in a recent attack in Moscow, calling it "ridiculous" and part of Russia's "arsenal of war." The phone talks were seen as a change of approach for Macron, who has toughened his stance against Russia in recent months, and France immediately denied Moscow's claim that "readiness for dialog on Ukraine was noted" during the call.