Ukraine war: Putin urged to hold 'direct, serious negotiations' with Zelensky
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IMAGE SOURCE, EPA
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Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to the leaders of France and Germany for 80 minutes
The leaders of France and Germany have urged Russia's Vladimir Putin to hold "direct [and] serious negotiations" with Ukraine's president, the German chancellor's office said.
Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz spoke to Mr Putin by phone for 80 minutes.
The pair "insisted on an immediate ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian troops", the chancellor's office said.
Russia's leader said Moscow was open to resuming dialogue with Kyiv, according to the Kremlin.
It did not mention the possibility of direct talks between Mr Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian president earlier said he was not "eager" for talks, but added they would likely be necessary to end the conflict.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations have held multiple rounds of talks remotely and in person since Russia invaded on 24 February, but efforts have stalled of late.
France and Germany also urged Mr Putin to release 2,500 Ukrainian fighters taken as prisoners-of-war at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
The sprawling factory became the last holdout in the southern port city, which endured relentless bombardment from Russian forces and now lies in ruins.
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What next for Ukraine's captured Azovstal fighters?
Earlier this month, Moscow officials said the last fighters defending the plant had surrendered, while President Zelensky said they had been given permission to leave.
Russia has previously said more than 900 of the fighters were moved to a reopened prison colony in Olenivka, a village in Russian-occupied Donetsk. A smaller number with serious wounds were taken to a hospital in the town of Novoazovsk, also in Donetsk.
Ukraine hopes they will be released as part of a prisoner exchange - but Russia has not confirmed that. Some Russian lawmakers argue the fighters should be tried or even executed.

IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS
Image caption,
Ukraine wants the fighters who defended the Azovstal steelworks to be part of a prisoner exchange - but Russia has made no public commitments
Also during the call, the French and German leaders asked Mr Putin to lift Russia's blockade of the Ukrainian port of Odesa, to allow for grain exports.
The Kremlin said Mr Putin offered to look at options, to help address the risk of a global food crisis - but demanded that the West lift sanctions.
Russia also warned France and Germany against increasing weapons supplies to Ukraine, saying that could increase instability still further.

This war has created alternate realities
Analysis by Joe Inwood, Ukraine Correspondent
To read the Kremlin's report of the call between Presidents Putin and Macron and Chancellor Scholz, Russia is engaged in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Its actions in the southern port of Mariupol - a city that has been reduced to rubble - are all about "establishing peaceful life" and "liberation".
It is a stark contrast not just with the readout from the EU allies - who said the focus was on the welfare of the 2,500 prisoners-of-war who surrendered - but with the evidence of all independent observers. There are multiple, credible reports of war crimes carried out by occupying Russian forces.
Despite that, the fact that the two most powerful leaders in the EU are holding direct talks with Russia's president is significant.
Their call for a diplomatic solution - even as Russian forces advance in the Donbas - is not supported by all Western allies, who fear it could put pressure on Ukraine to cede territory in return for peace.
It all comes as Moscow claims to have captured the crucial crossroads city of Lyman - and continues its assault of Severodonetsk. The industrial ci



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61618907

Putin should not hold talks until zelenesky surrender and kneel lol...

God bless putin God bless mother Russia.

Seems like Ukraine is not winning again zelenzy should be arrested and flogged 1000 cable wire publicly by kaydrov

Nato has seen the power of Russia.

Those azov terrorist and any foreign fighters should be hanged publicly to serve as warning to any bastard that want to go to Ukraine to fight almighty Russia

Why beg , I thought Zelensky has killed all the Russians

Face to face fight is allow. And one on one is the best...

Just shoot the clown aneg

Of course, the sanctions are biting both sides. Wait until winter to have a clearer understanding of the situation.

PUTIN please don't listen to them, after all Ukrainians are winning the war 100% on media.