Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron continued to discuss the situation in Ukraine during their regular phone conversation, the Kremlin press service reported.

They continued to exchange views on the current aspects of the situation around Ukraine, including taking into account the latest round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives, which ended today in Istanbul.

Putin informed Macron in detail about the measures taken by the Russian Armed Forces to provide humanitarian aid and ensure evacuation, including from Mariupol.

"It was noted that in order to resolve the difficult humanitarian situation in this city, the Ukrainian nationalist fighters must stop resisting and lay down their weapons."

Issues related to the decision to switch to payment in Russian rubles for natural gas supplies from Russia, in particular to EU countries, were also touched upon.