Russia Would Reach Its Objectives In Ukraine Either Through Negotiation Or Through War: Putin Tells Macron

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, told the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday that Moscow planned to achieve its objectives in Ukraine either through diplomacy or military means.

New Delhi: The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, told the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday that Moscow planned to achieve its objectives in Ukraine either through diplomacy or military means, the Élysée said, news agency AFP reported. The Élysée is the official residence of the President of France, and there is an official website for the same. 

Putin told Macron that Russia would reach its objectives in Ukraine "either through negotiation or through war", according to a French presidential official, an AFP report said. The official added that the President of Russia also pledged “it was not his intention” to attack Ukrainian nuclear sites. 

According to the AFP report, the official, who requested anonymity, said that Macron found Putin “very determined to achieve his objectives”.

The report stated Putin demanded recognition of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea as part of Russian territory. Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. The Russian President also demanded recognition of Crimea as independent of two Ukrainian eastern breakaway regions already recognised by Russia.

The official said that these demands are "unacceptable for the Ukrainians", according to the report.

Macron urged the Russian President not to endanger civilians, in line with international law. However, Putin denied that the Russian army is targeting civilians, the report said.

The official said that Macron replied to Putin that "the army attacking is the Russian army". The French President also said that he had "no reason to believe that the Ukrainian army is putting civilians in danger". 

According to a statement issued by the Élysée, Macron expressed his serious concern about the risks  to nuclear safety, security and safeguards resulting from the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and the imperative that concrete measures be taken to answer to.

Macron underlined the absolute necessity of avoiding any attack on the integrity of Ukrainian civil nuclear installations, the security and safety of which must be guaranteed, in accordance with the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the proposals of its general manager, the statement said. Putin accepted that work in this direction should be undertaken without delay by the IAEA.

Macron also called for respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of civilian populations and the delivery of aid, and recalled the importance of a negotiated solution, fully acceptable to the Ukrainians, according to the statement.

The President of France also relayed his concern about an imminent attack on the city of Odessa, the statement said.

Last week, Macron had expressed alarm over nuclear security risks in Ukraine after invading Russian forces attacked and seized Europe's largest atomic power plant Zaporizhzhia.

Quoting the official, the AFP report said that President Putin has said that it was not his intention to carry out attacks on these power stations. The official added that the Russian president said he was prepared to meet UN atomic agency standards for nuclear plant protection.

A presidential official said that the call lasted one hour 45 minutes, and was at Macron’s request. Also, this was the fourth time Macron and Putin had spoken to each other since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

On March 3, a call took place between the leaders of the two countries. The Élysée said that the call had left Macron feeling “the worst is to come” in Ukraine, with Putin intent on seizing "the whole" of the country, according to the AFP report.

In the telephone call, Putin blamed Kyiv for  failed civilian evacuations from the key Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, according to the Kremlin. Mariupol is surrounded by Russian troops.

On Saturday, Russia's defence ministry said it had resumed "offensive actions" in Ukraine after announcing a ceasefire earlier in the day to allow residents of two besieged cities to evacuate, according to reports. 

Russia had announced a ceasefire earlier on Saturday and said it opened humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and neighbouring Volnovakha.