Putin informs Macron, Scholz of state of affairs around Ukraine - Kremlin

MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Kremlin stated on Saturday.

"On the issues raised by interlocutors regarding the humanitarian situation in the areas of the special military operation to protect Donbas, Vladimir Putin informed [them] about the real state of affairs," the statement said.

"In particular, [Putin] cited numerous instances of egregious violation by Ukrainian forces of international humanitarian law", it said.

"[Putin] strongly urged Macron and Scholz to use their influence on Kyivan authorities to put an end to such criminal activities."

Meanwhile, the German Chancellery stated that Scholz and Macron urged Putin to stop the fighting in Ukraine and resolve the conflict diplomatically.

"It was decided not to divulge the remainder of the conversation," the German Chancellery said.

This morning Scholz "spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and learnt of his assessment of the present situation. [The two] agreed to maintain contact," it said.