Putin discusses security proposal with French_ German leaders

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday discussed Russia s proposal on security guarantees with the leaders of France and Germany.

Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about  ways of enhancing stability and security in Europe_ with a focus on the drafts of a Russia-US treaty on security guarantees and an agreement on measures to ensure the security of Russia and the NATO member countries_ which were sent to the addressees_ including France_ and then published_ according to a Kremlin statement.

The phone call also included discussions about the situation in Ukraine and  recent complications caused by Kyiv s  unwillingness to honor the Minsk agreements.

Putin emphasized that  holding a new summit in the Normandy format was possible if Kyiv takes  practical steps to implement the Minsk agreements.

On the Nagorno-Karabakh issue_ the leaders  expressed satisfaction with how the situation has stabilized and with the efforts to return to peaceful life and restore economic and transport links in the region_ the statement said.

 It was noted that Russia and France are coordinating actions on these issues and intend to continue doing so_ it added.

At Macron s initiative_ the two presidents also spoke about the situation in Mali.

Putin also brought up the restrictions on the Russia Today news channel in France_ saying he hopes  that our channel will be given the same opportunities to work without discrimination that French media enjoy in Russia_ the Kremlin said.      

In a separate phone call_ Putin congratulated new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the start of his tenure.

 Both sides expressed interest in further developing bilateral ties and contacts via different channels_ read a Kremlin statement.

Putin spoke about the Russian proposals on  long-term legally binding security guarantees that rule out any further expansion of NATO eastwards and the deployment of offensive weapons systems in the countries adjacent to Russia_ it added.

 In this context_ detailed comments were provided on the content of the draft Russian-US treaty on security guarantees and the draft agreement on measures to ensure security of Russia and NATO member states_ which were sent to Russia s Western partners_ including Germany.

Putin said he was hopeful that  serious talks would be organized on all issues raised by Russia.

On the  domestic conflict in Ukraine_ Putin reiterated that Kyiv  refuses to honor its commitments under the 2015 Minsk agreements_ which impedes the potential holding of a new summit in the Normandy format_ the Kremlin said.

The two leaders  agreed to continue exchanging views on the topics discussed and other international and bilateral issues during future contacts_ the statement concluded.