Scholz, Macron demand Ukraine ceasefire in call with Putin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling him that a diplomatic solution to the situation is needed.

The two spoke with Putin for about 75 minutes, reported dpa, quoting a German government spokesperson.

According to the Kremlin, Scholz told the French and German leaders about the situation in Ukraine, highlighting allegations of human rights violations by Ukrainian forces against their own members and civilians. He said they have executed Ukrainian soldiers who express minority opinions, have used civilians as shields and have prevented civilians from fleeing from contested areas.

He called on the West to exercise pressure on Ukraine for an end to such behaviour, none of which has been independently confirmed.

Scholz telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky separately.