Putin and Zelensky discussed conflict resolution

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke for the first time by phone about resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the return of prisoners, the Kremlin announced.

Zelensky, a former comedian with no political experience, won a landslide victory in the Ukrainian presidential elections in April.

After his election, he stated that resolving the conflict between pro-Russian separatists and state authorities in Kyiv is one of his priorities, writes the Euronews portal.

Zelensky thus initiated a phone call with the Russian president, during which the two leaders discussed possibilities for stopping the conflict.

Zelensky stated that with the support of European countries, he plans to continue negotiations with Russia on a peace agreement, as well as on the release of Ukrainian citizens from Russian prisons, including 24 Ukrainian sailors.   

In the conflict that broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea, more than 10,000 people lost their lives.