Putin, Macron discuss Ukraine, ruble payments for gas – Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed developments in the situation around Ukraine, including the latest round of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, in a phone call on Tuesday, the Kremlin said.

Putin said Tuesday Ukrainian “nationalists” in the embattled city of Mariupol must lay down their arms as he discussed the conflict with French leader Emmanuel Macron, the Kremlin added.

“It was stressed that in order to resolve the difficult humanitarian situation in this city (Mariupol), Ukrainian nationalist militants must stop resisting and lay down their arms,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin and Macron also discussed Russia’s decision to request payments in rubles for Russian gas supplies to the European Union, the Kremlin said in a statement.