French and German Leaders Talk with Putin... Urge Halt to Ukraine Attacks and Ceasefire

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged an immediate ceasefire. However, concerns about a prolonged conflict are growing as President Putin shows little intention of agreeing to a ceasefire.

According to the dpa news agency on the 12th (local time), the German government stated, "The leaders of France and Germany spoke with President Putin for 75 minutes," adding, "During the 75-minute call, the German Federal Chancellor and the French President urged efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and to find a diplomatic solution." However, they added, "No further specific details will be disclosed."

The French ?lys?e Palace also confirmed the call between the two leaders and President Putin, stating, "President Putin did not show any willingness to end the war during the call," and "President Macron urged President Putin to stop attacks on Mariupol, the southern Ukrainian port city surrounded by Russian forces."

The Russian Kremlin stated, "President Putin informed the French and German leaders about the actual situation in Ukraine and expressed concern over the inhumane acts committed by the Ukrainian military." The Kremlin claimed, "President Putin asserted that the Ukrainian military is using civilians as human shields and is preventing civilians from evacuating combat zones."

The leaders of Russia, France, and Germany also spoke on the 10th, during which President Macron and Chancellor Scholz again called for an immediate ceasefire. However, mediation efforts have continued to fail as President Putin strongly expressed his intention to continue the war.

Meanwhile, on the 17th day since the outbreak of the conflict, Russia continues its offensive in northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine. In the east, Russian forces, along with pro-Russian rebels within Ukraine, are pressuring Ukrainian troops, while in the south, they have captured cities such as Kherson and Melitopol and are besieging Mariupol, a strategic point connecting the Crimean Peninsula and the Donbas region.

On the northern front, including the capital Kyiv (Kiyev), Russian forces have advanced to the outskirts of Kyiv, and Ukrainian forces are fortifying the city and preparing for urban warfare.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.