Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his speech at a concert marking the eighth anniversary of the referendum on the state status of Crimea and Sevastopol and its reunification with Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, March 18, 2022. AP
According to the Kremlin's readout of the call, Putin ``outlined fundamental assessments of the course of the talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives,'' while Bettel informed him about ``contacts with the leadership of Ukraine and other countries.''
Putin also said that ``incessant missile strikes by Ukrainian forces on Donetsk and other cities'' of the self-proclaimed separatist Donetsk and Luhansk republics in eastern Ukraine are ``leading to numerous civilian casualties.''
Bettel tweeted Saturday about his call with Putin, too. He stressed that since their first call earlier this week ``the situation on the ground has worsened, especially in the city of Mariupol.''
Bettel added that ``the images that reach us (from Mariupol) are intolerable. The goal needs to remain de-escalation, adoption of ceasefire & furthering negotiation processes.''
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