Putin recalled that the current crisis was a direct result of NATO’s long-term aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian foothold on Ukrainian territory while ignoring our country’s security interests and trampling on the rights of Russian-speaking residents.

“The Russian President noted that the Russian side has never refused and remains open to resuming negotiations that were interrupted by the Kiev regime. Russia’s proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry. Possible agreements should take into account the interests of the Russian Federation in the field of security, proceed from new territorial realities, and most importantly eliminate the root causes of the conflict,” the Kremlin stressed.

Here are the main ones:

• Neutral non-aligned nuclear-weapon-free status of Ukraine, its demilitarization and denazification;

• Complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions beyond their administrative borders;

• Ensuring the rights, freedoms and interests of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine;

• The lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.

“As soon as Kiev declares that they are ready for such a decision and begins the actual withdrawal of troops from these regions, as well as officially notifies of the abandonment of plans to join NATO, our side will immediately, literally at the same minute, order to cease fire and begin negotiations. I repeat: we will do this immediately,” Putin said.

In addition to the topic of Ukraine, Scholz and Putin touched upon a number of other areas during the conversation.

In particular, the state of Russian-German relations was discussed. Putin noted their unprecedented degradation in all directions as a result of the unfriendly course of the German authorities.

In addition, he stressed that Russia has always strictly fulfilled its contractual and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if the German side shows interest in this.

Putin also informed Scholz about Russia’s efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.

Zelensky was against Scholz’s conversation with Putin and urged the German Chancellor not to call the Russian president, according to Reuters.

The Chancellor urged Russia “to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and end the conflict”, he also reaffirmed “unwavering commitment of Germany to support Ukraine”. To paraphrase the classics: — God grant you good health, but what else did you want to say?

@vzglyad_ru