Putin discusses Ukraine and negotiations with its representatives with Scholz - Kremlin

MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin press service said.

"A discussion regarding the situation surrounding Ukraine has been continued," it said.

Putin shared his judgments about the negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, which are ongoing in a video format, the Kremlin said.

"It was pointed out that the Kyiv regime is seeking to drag out the negotiating process in any possible way by regularly making new unrealistic proposals. Nevertheless, the Russian side stands ready to continue looking for solutions consistent with its well-known principled approaches," it said.

In his turn, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian and German leaders had "quite a difficult, but absolutely businesslike conversation".

"The conversation can hardly be described as a friendly one. It was certainly a tough conversation. Nevertheless, there is a need for such contacts, an exchange of information, and a discussion of urgent subjects related to the special operation," Peskov said.