Filenews 28 February 2022
France's president, Emmanuel Macron, had a telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin shortly before the start of Russia's negotiations with Ukraine.
According to international media reports, the communication lasted an hour and a half and as RT broadcasts Putin reiterated the four conditions he is putting on the European Union in order to stop the war that is raging for the 5th day.
The four terms are as follows:
Recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea
Demilitarization of the Ukrainian state
De-Naziisation of the Ukrainian state
Ensuring a neutral status of Ukraine
It is noted that the Russian president initially demanded the start of negotiations only on condition that the Ukrainians surrender their weapons, while in a recent interview he claimed that he does not talk to "Nazis and drug addicts", leaving of course spikes for the Government of Ukraine, which he even called on the Ukrainian people and army to overthrow.
From the beginning of the conflict, it was clear that the Russians want an unconditional surrender that would end not only the war, but also the tenure of the Ukrainian government and the Zelensky presidency – this is what the term "neutral regime" means. The other part, the term "demilitarization" of Ukraine, means an end to the flirtation with NATO and its arming by the Americans – at the political level, and its definitive removal from the West.
"Don't hit civilians and political infrastructure"
The French president has called on his Russian counterpart to stop the attacks on civilians, safeguard civilian infrastructure and ensure access to roads in Ukraine, according to an Elysée statement.
On all three of these points Putin "confirmed that he is willing to commit," the statement said. Macron asked Putin to stay in touch in the coming days, with the Russian president agreeing.
In recent hours, Macron has also spoken "many times" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
