Russia ready to resume dialogue with Ukraine

"Special attention was given to the state of affairs on the negotiating track, which is frozen because of Kyiv. Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia is open to resuming the dialogue," the statement said, TASS reported.

Putin, in a telephone conversation with Macron and Scholz, stressed the danger of pumping Ukraine with Western weapons, the Kremlin press service said.

"The Russian President also highlighted the issue of dangerous ongoing pumping of Ukraine with Western weapons, warning of the risks of further destabilization of the situation and aggravation of the humanitarian crisis," the statement said.

Problems with food supplies were caused by anti-Russian sanctions and other mistakes of the West, the Russian President said in a telephone conversation, the press service reported.

"Based on specific data, Vladimir Putin explained the real reasons for the difficulties with food supplies, which were the result of the misguided economic and financial policies of Western countries, as well as the anti-Russian sanctions they imposed," the statement said.

The Kremlin noted, "Russia is ready to help find options for unhampered exports of grain, including exports of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports".

"Increasing supplies of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products will also help reduce tension on the global food market, which, of course, would require removing the relevant restrictions," the statement said.

German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters that "The chancellor and the French president insisted on an immediate ceasefire and pullout of Russian troops. They called on the Russian president to hold serious direct talks with the Ukrainian president and to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict."

The spokesperson added that the call was held at the request of the German and French leaders.

ZZ/PR