Story highlights France's Macron said Vladimir Putin "agreed to regularly check on" the treatment of LGBT people in Chechnya

Russian LGBT Network: "Their lives are in danger"

Moscow (CNN) French president Emmanuel Macron says he has urged Vladimir Putin to ensure that the rights of LGBT people are protected following allegations of a crackdown on gay men in the Russian republic of Chechnya.

The Russian president was in France for talks with Macron, two weeks after his election victory. Macron's call comes after widespread reports of a brutal campaign by the authorities against gay men in Chechnya, including allegations of torture and murder.

"I emphasized to President Putin...how important it is for France to respect all people, all minorities," Macron said during a news conference with the Russian leader.

"We spoke about the cases of LGBT people in Chechnya... I told President Putin what France is expecting regarding this issue, and we agreed to regularly check on this subject."

Macron added that President Putin told him he had started a number of initiatives with regard to the Chechen LGBT community. Previously, Putin said he would talk to the prosecutor general and interior minister regarding an investigation.

Read More