Putin tells German chancellor Ukraine 'blocked' peace talks to end war

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a phone call on Friday, according to the Kremlin.

The discussion focused on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis, the Kremlin statement said.

"Vladimir Putin outlined in detail the logic and main tasks of the special military operation to protect the people's republics of Donbas, spoke about the measures taken to ensure the safety of civilians," the statement added.

Putin also briefed Scholz about the evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's steel plant Azovstal in the city of Mariupol.

He also shared his assessment about the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, which according to him were "blocked by Kyiv."

"The President of Russia and the Federal Chancellor of Germany agreed that the discussion on these issues will continue during contacts through various channels," the statement said.

At least 3,541 civilians have been killed and 3,785 others injured since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.

More than 5.91 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.