French President Claims Putin Told Him That Ukrainian Civilians Will Be Spared

The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to be a big topic although efforts to establish peace are underway as of this writing.

Delegations from both countries are holding talks over in Belarus at a villa belonging to Belarusian President Alexandre Loukashenko, near the Belarus/Ukraine border. However, it appears the issue may need time to resolve.

But before this, French President Emmanuel Macron shares how he and Russian leader Vladimir Putin talked over the phone on Monday with the latter allegedly saying that he would spare civilians in Ukraine who are trying to flee the country.

This was revealed by the office of Macron in a statement. In an alleged 90-minute phone call, the French leader asked Putin to stop attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, and secure major roadways, in particular the road from the south of Kyiv.

"President Putin confirmed his willingness to make commitments on these three points," the statement read.

Putin said that it would take the demilitarization of Ukraine and Western recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula to end the fighting in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.

"Vladimir Putin stressed that a settlement is possible only if Russia's legitimate security interests are unconditionally taken into account, including the recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the demilitarisation and denazification of the Ukrainian state and ensuring its neutral status," according to a Kremlin readout of the call.

As for the ongoing talks, the Ukrainian presidency had demanded an immediate Russian ceasefire and troop withdrawal.

Participating in the talks on behalf of President Volodymyr Zelensky were David Arakhamia, head of the Party of Servant of the People; Oleksiy Reznikov, minister of defense and Mykhailo Podoliak, advisor to the Head of the President’s Office.

As the talks were going on, at least 11 civilians were killed in Russian shelling on Ukraine's second-most populated city Kharkiv according to the regional governor. He added that dozens more were injured.

Moreover, the Russian economy is reported to be in serious difficulties as a result of international sanctions in response to the crisis.