French President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks about the possibility of talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin have stirred unease across European political circles, according to the newspaper Al Khaleej.

The outlet notes that Macron explained his initiative-voiced after the recent EU summit in Brussels-by pointing out that several countries are already maintaining channels of dialogue with Moscow. Even so, efforts by Paris to soften the impact of his words failed to dispel concerns among France’s European partners, many of whom were left seeking clarification.

As Al Khaleej reports, Macron’s comments were interpreted by some in Europe as a display of French exceptionalism and a move that cuts against prevailing approaches within the EU. Particular attention was drawn to the fact that the French president had not discussed the idea in advance with his European counterparts.

The publication adds that a number of European observers and analysts were taken aback by what they saw as a sharp and unexpected shift in Macron’s rhetoric.

Just a week earlier, Macron had said it would be beneficial for European states to resume dialogue with the Russian leadership. Responding to this initiative, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any potential contacts between the leaders of the two countries should aim at understanding each other’s positions rather than delivering lectures.