Putin, Macron, Scholz discuss Ukraine situation

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Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the situation in Ukraine, in particular the continued efforts to build a peaceful existence in the Donbass region, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
 
According to the Kremlin, "The Russian president informed in detail [Macron and Scholz] about the latest development of events in the context of the ongoing special military operation, noting that the Russian armed forces strictly comply with international humanitarian law. He said how systematic work was organized to establish a peaceful life in Mariupol and other liberated cities in the Donbas region."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz conducted an in-depth conversation on the global food security crisis.

Read more: Russia to produce near-record levels of grain in 2022
 

"The situation in the sphere of global food security was discussed in detail. Vladimir Putin explained, cogently and based on specific facts, the real causes of difficulties with food supplies, which were the result of flawed economic and financial policies of Western countries, as well as the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by them," the Kremlin statement said.

The statement also highlighted that Russia is willing to assist in developing solutions for unrestricted grain exports, including the shipment of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports. According to the Kremlin, expanding the supply of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products, which necessitates the relaxation of applicable restrictions, would also assist to relieve tensions on the global food market.

Putin has briefed his French colleague Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the present status of the now-shuttered negotiations with Ukraine, adding that Moscow is eager to continue the discussion.

"Special attention was paid to the situation with the negotiations that are frozen through the fault of Kiev. Vladimir Putin confirmed the Russian side's openness to resume the dialogue." 

Putin also highlighted the severity of the Western nations' pumping of weapons into Ukraine, warning of the danger it poses to international security and destabilization. 

Read more: US weapons to Ukraine “in a big black hole” - US official

"The Russian president paid particular attention to the dangerous nature of the ongoing pumping of Western weapons into Ukraine, warning, in this regard, of the risks of further destabilization of the situation and the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis," the Kremlin said.