At the request of Berlin, Putin, Scholz discuss Ukraine over phone
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Russian President reiterates the Ukrainian forces' involvement in attacks on Donetsk, amid western silence.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (DW)
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have discussed the recent developments in Ukraine during a phone conversation on Friday.
In a statement, the Kremlin revealed that "the discussion of the situation around Ukraine continued ... It was noted that the Russian armed forces are doing everything possible to save the lives of civilians, including by organizing safe corridors for the population to leave the cities in the combat zone."
During the conversation, Putin emphasized to Scholz that recent rocket attacks by Ukrainian forces took place in Donetsk and Makiivka, citing that the West ignores such attacks.
"The Russian president drew attention to the rocket attacks by the Ukrainian security forces on the residential areas of Donetsk and Makiivka, which led to heavy casualties. These war crimes were ignored in the West."
The head of the Defense Ministry's National Defense Management Center, General Mikhail Mezentsev, touched on Ukraine's actions in Donetsk, revealing the toll of the Ukrainian attacks by Tochka-U, a missile containing cluster munition. He described the bombing as a "war crime."
The Russian President revealed that amid ongoing Ukraine-Russia talks, Kiev continues to place hurdles and unrealistic proposals in the face of negotiations.
The statement added that "nevertheless, the Russian side is ready to continue the search for solutions in line with its well-known principled approaches."
Scholz calls for early ceasefire
According to the German cabinet on Friday, Scholz called on Moscow to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In a statement, the cabinet said Scholz "called on the Russian president to the early ceasing of hostilities, improvement of the humanitarian situation and progress in the search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict."
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian Kremlin Spokesperson, said the phone call on Friday was "tough" and can hardly be regarded as "friendly".
"The conversation, of course, can hardly be called friendly ... this is a tough conversation. But nevertheless, there remains a need for such contacts, for the exchange of information and for the discussion of sensitive issues related to the special operation [in Ukraine]," Peskov said.
Days ago, the German Chancellor said Germany and Turkey support establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine as soon as possible, calling on Putin to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
"Both of us, me and [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fully united in condemning Russia's violent military actions in Ukraine," Scholz said at a briefing after meeting with Turkish President Erdogan.
German Chancellor also stated, "We are also fully united that a ceasefire must prevail at the earliest possible moment," adding that "It is of utmost importance now that people's lives will no longer be in danger."
"Safe corridors are needed so that people can safely leave dangerous areas," Scholz said at the briefing.
Read more: Scholz: No intention for NATO to join military events in Ukraine
The Ukrainian authorities have only agreed to three out of 10 humanitarian corridors, the head of the Defense Ministry's National Defense Management Center, General Mikhail Mezentsev, revealed, adding that Kiev's decision came in light of the Russian Armed Forces taking over Melitopol and Kherson, whose residents were carrying on with their lives peacefully.
CNN, like other Western media, did not report this news.
— Spriter (@spriter99880) March 14, 2022
Probably because Russian victims are not worth mentioning. That's why we're all here.
Let the truth be heard. pic.twitter.com/MH2yeLkwpX
