29 Mar 2022 20:08

Putin, Macron discuss Ukraine, Russia's gas supplies to EU

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone, the Kremlin's press service said on Tuesday.

"The parties continued to exchange views on topical aspects of the development of the situation surrounding Ukraine, in particular, in light of the recent round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives that ended today in Istanbul," the statement said.

"The parties focused on humanitarian issues," it said. "The Russian president briefed [his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron] in detail on the measures being undertaken by the Russian military to provide urgent humanitarian aid and ensure the safe evacuation of civilians, including those from Mariupol. It was emphasized that in order to resolve the acute humanitarian situation in that city, the Ukrainian nationalist militants must stop resisting and lay down their arms," the statement said.

"The issues related to the decision to switch to payment in Russian rubles for natural gas supplies from Russia, in particular, to European Union countries, were also touched upon," the press service said.

The parties agreed to continue contacts, the press service said.