Scholz, Macron and Putin discussed grain exports from Ukrainian ports

(Patria) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call with Vladimir Putin, called on the Russian leader to engage in "serious and direct negotiations" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and demanded the release of 2,500 captured Ukrainian fighters from Azovstal in Mariupol.

In the 80-minute conversation with the Russian president, the two leaders "insisted on an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops," according to a statement from the German Chancellor's office.

Macron and Scholz "called on the Russian president for serious and direct negotiations with the Ukrainian president and for a diplomatic solution to the conflict" and demanded the release of about 2,500 Ukrainian defenders from the Azovstal steel plant captured by Russian forces, the French presidency announced after the talks concluded.

The purpose of the talks, held at the request of Macron and Scholz, was to influence an end to the war in Ukraine.

The German Chancellor and the French President "also called on the Russian president to guarantee a better humanitarian situation for the civilian population.".

Putin told the two Western leaders that "captured fighters are being treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, and that members of the International Committee of the Red Cross have unimpeded access.".

The three leaders also discussed the global problem of food supply, which is particularly in focus due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"President Putin told Macron and Scholz that he is ready to allow the continuation of grain exports from Black Sea ports," Scholz's office announced.

He also promised that "Russia will not use the removal of the mine belt laid for the protection of Ukrainian ports, which will enable grain exports by ships, to carry out military attacks," Scholz's office announced, adding that the three leaders agreed that the United Nations should play a "central role" in guaranteeing the security of grain transport.