Putin tells Macron that conflict can only be resolved taking into account Russia's legitimate interests, but that Russia open to talks with Ukraine's representatives

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron have seriously and thoroughly discussed aspects of the situation surrounding Ukraine in a lengthy phone call held at France's initiative, the Kremlin press service said.

"The French party expressed its well-known views on Russia's special military operation to protect Donbas and expressed hope for resolving the current conflict through dialogue and negotiations with Kyiv as soon as possible," the statement said.

"Such a settlement is possible only with unconditional consideration of Russia's legitimate security interests, including recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, resolving the tasks of demilitarization and denazification of the Ukrainian state, and ensuring its neutral status," Putin said.

"At the same time, it is noted that the Russian party is open to negotiations with Ukrainian representatives and expects them to bring about the desired results," the Kremlin said.

"The Russian president paid special attention to the fact that the Russian Armed Forces do not threaten civilians and are not hitting civilian facilities. The threat comes from Ukrainian nationalists, who use civilians as human shields, deliberately deploy attack weapon systems in residential areas and have intensified shelling of the Donbas cities," the press service said.

Putin and Macron "agreed to stay in contact," it said.