French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schultz had a joint telephone conversation today with Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked him to release the 2.500 Ukrainian fighters who were hiding inside the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol and were captured by Russia.
Negotiation
As announced by the Elysee Palace, during the communication initiated by the French President and the German Chancellor, the Franco-German side stressed that any solution to the war crisis should be negotiated between Moscow and Kiev and with respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Lift the blockade of Odessa
They also reiterated their demand for an immediate ceasefire and called on the Russian president to enter into direct talks as soon as possible with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Macron and Chancellor Solts told President Putin that the blockade of Odessa should be lifted to allow the export of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea and avoid a global food crisis.
According to the Elysium Palace statement, the Russian President promised to allow safe access of ships to the port of Odessa.
To this end, the French President and the German Chancellor called for accelerated procedures at the UN level.
Finally, it is noted that the French President also had a telephone conversation yesterday with the President of the European Commission Ursula von Derlaien. During the discussion they focused on energy issues and the proposals the Commission will put forward to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.
They also discussed the macro-economic assistance Ukraine needs from the EU. Finally, they also discussed the issue of strengthening the European military industry.
Source: in.gr
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