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Putin says don't intend to attack Ukraine's nuclear plants, open for trilateral meet
Ukraine-Russia war: During a call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin welcomed the idea of holding a meeting with representatives of the IAEA and Ukraine as "useful" and said it could be held by video link or in a third country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said Moscow did not intend to attack nuclear plants in Ukraine and was open to engage in trilateral talks over the safety of such facilities.
During a call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, Putin welcomed the idea of holding a meeting with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ukraine as "useful" and said it could be held by video link or in a third country.
Russia’s armed forces have seized control of the Zaporozhskaya and Chernobyl nuclear power stations during the ongoing military invasion of its neighbouring nation.
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The French presidency said the call between Putin and Macron focused primarily on the safety of Ukraine's nuclear plants. The call was on request from Macron and lasted almost two hours, the Elysee said.
As Macron insisted on the need to ensure the IAEA’s safety standards and that these facilities must not be targeted by a Russian offensive, Putin said his forces did not intend to attack nuclear plants in Ukraine.
An official from the French President said potential talks were scheduled to be organised in the coming days.
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FurtheMacron also made another appeal to Putin to stop Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, that was on its 11th day on Sunday, and insisted on the need to protect the civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid.
In response, Putin said Moscow planned to achieve its aims in Ukraine either through diplomacy or military means, the Elysee said.
Russia would reach its objectives in Ukraine "either through negotiation or through war", Putin told Macron according to a French presidential official.
Earlier in the day, during his call with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Putin said the 'military operation' in Ukraine would stop only if Kyiv laid down arms and met all of the Kremlin's demands.
(With inputs from agencies)
