Putin's Telephone Conversation With European Council's Michel

On Monday, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Relations between Russia and the European Union, as well as a number of current international issues, were discussed in detail.

Putin stressed that, although Russia and the European Union remained significant trade and investment partners, the current state of Russia-EU relations could not be considered satisfactory. It was noted that a return to pragmatic and respectful cooperation would be in the interests of both. Mutual opinion was expressed that it is important to step up cooperation in specific areas like healthcare, the climate agenda, and settling regional conflicts.

Combatting the spread of the coronavirus infection was also discussed, including the prospects for certifying the Russian vaccine Sputnik V in the European Union and ensuring conditions for mutual travel while complying with anti-pandemic restrictions.

Developments around Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed in terms of the importance of the further and consistent implementation of the statements made by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. Priority tasks include unblocking economic and transport connections in the region and resolving local humanitarian problems. Michel expressed support for these efforts, including the work of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs (Russia, the US and France). Regarding the additional sanctions pressure on Belarus from the European Union, Putin noted that such an approach, like any attempt to interfere in this sovereign state’s domestic affairs, was counterproductive.

When discussing the internal Ukrainian crisis, both sides noted that the 2015 Minsk Package of Measures remained the only basis for the settlement process. The President of Russia said that the Kiev authorities must strictly implement all previously reached agreements, primarily on establishing a direct dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and legalising the special status of Donbass.

During the discussion of developments in Libya, Putin and Michel spoke in favour of further promoting the political process and supporting the established authorities during the transition period.