“Everyone, let's say, Ukraine’s partners are against me calling Putin. I decided to call Putin, because this is primarily a question of Ukraine, a question of our citizens, ”he said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
Earlier, Putin had a telephone conversation with Zelensky. The conversation took place at the initiative of the Ukrainian side. As specified in the press service of the President of Ukraine, the release of seafarers was a key issue during the negotiations.
At the same time, in Kiev they added that it was also about the return of other Ukrainian citizens who are contained in Russia.
In turn, the Kremlin noted that the conversation of the leaders "was of a rather pragmatic nature" and took about 20 minutes.
The office of Zelensky noted that "there will be more telephone conversations."