Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that the Ukrainian forces defending Mariupol, this strategic port on the Sea of Azov, which has been besieged for weeks by the Russian army, should surrender so that aid can reach the civilians there.
What the Kremlin statement says
"In order to find a solution to the difficult humanitarian situation in this city, Ukrainian nationalist fighters must stop resisting and lay down their arms," Putin said, according to the Kremlin statement on the phone call between the Russian president and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
The two presidents also discussed the situation in Ukraine, developments regarding the talks held earlier today in Istanbul and Russia's decision to demand to be paid in rubles for the gas it supplies to the European Union, according to the Kremlin statement.
What Elise announced after Macron-Putin phone call
French President Emmanuel Macron told Vladimir Putin that it is impossible to pay for gas contracts in rubles in a phone call between them, Reuters reported citing French presidency officials.
Meanwhile, Elise said after French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin spoke by phone that a humanitarian operation in Mariupol is not possible "at this stage."
Source: Proto Thema
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