@goldberg,
Yep, that's Macron's line alright. I generally agree, although I think he's got near zero chance to succeed in whateverhe wants to do with Putin. He also tried to charm and influence Trump three years ago and failed.
Putin wants Europe to lift or at least molify its economic sanctions against Russia, that were adopted after the Crimea invasion. With oil prices depressed, and the worldwide economic crisis brought by COVID, the Russian economy is tanking. Lifting the EU sanctions would be a breath of fresh air for them.
Of course Macron doesn't have the power to lift those sanctions all by himself, but Putin will probably ask for his help to that end. I wonder what he's got to give in exchange...