Putin and Macron discuss Syria and Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on the latter's initiative yesterday, according to the Kremlin press service.

The discussion focused on developments in Ukraine, considering the preparations for the Normandy format summit to take place in Paris on December 9. Both sides stressed that such a meeting should promote the immediate and full implementation of the Minsk Agreements," the statement reads.

In this context, the presidents noted that it was necessary for Kiev to fulfil its obligations concerning political aspects of the settlement process, first of all, the adoption of the law on the special status of Donbass.

The Russian leader briefed Macron on the handover of three naval ships that had been detained for the provocation in the Kerch Strait to Ukraine.

"Vladimir Putin informed Emmanuel Macron of the three naval ships returned to Ukrainian representatives in the Black Sea today. These ships were used in the provocation that occurred in the Kerch Strait on November 25, 2018.," the press service added.

When discussing the situation in Syria, the two presidents emphasised the importance of the launch of the Constitutional Committee as well as the organisation of comprehensive humanitarian aid to Syria. They agreed to further coordinate the work of French and Russian military agencies to effectively counter terrorism in the region.

Putin and Macron also discussed several current issues of the bilateral dialogue and agreed to maintain contact in various formats.