<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Kyiv for a military escalation in east Ukraine in a call with French leader Emmanuel Macron on Sunday but said diplomatic efforts to find a resolution needed to intensify.</p>.<p>The call came two weeks after Macron went to Moscow to persuade Putin to refrain from sending troops massed on the border into Ukraine.</p>.<p>"The Russian president noted that the cause of the escalation is provocations carried out by the Ukrainian security forces," a Kremlin readout said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/uks-johnson-says-russias-putin-may-be-irrational-on-ukraine-1083376.html">UK's Johnson says Russia's Putin may be 'irrational' on Ukraine</a></strong></p>.<p>Its statement added that the sides discussed the supply of weapons and ammunition by NATO countries to Ukraine, which the Kremlin said was pushing Kyiv towards a "military solution" against separatists in the country's east.</p>.<p>"As a result, civilians... who have to evacuate to Russia to escape the intensifying shelling, suffer," the Kremlin added.</p>.<p>The statement however noted that "the presidents believe it is important to intensify efforts to find solutions through diplomatic means".</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/ukraines-zelensky-calls-on-putin-to-meet-as-tensions-soar-1083327.html">Ukraine's Zelensky calls on Putin to meet as tensions soar</a></strong></p>.<p>It said the leaders agreed these efforts should be carried out by foreign ministers and representatives from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, which make up the Normandy negotiations group.</p>.<p>"Vladimir Putin reiterated the need for the United States and NATO to take Russian demands for security guarantees seriously," the Kremlin's readout added.</p>.<p>The statement said Putin had told Macron that Western countries should give concrete and point-by-point responses to sweeping demands set by Moscow last December to limit the West's role in eastern Europe and ex-Soviet countries.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Kyiv for a military escalation in east Ukraine in a call with French leader Emmanuel Macron on Sunday but said diplomatic efforts to find a resolution needed to intensify.</p>.<p>The call came two weeks after Macron went to Moscow to persuade Putin to refrain from sending troops massed on the border into Ukraine.</p>.<p>"The Russian president noted that the cause of the escalation is provocations carried out by the Ukrainian security forces," a Kremlin readout said.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/uks-johnson-says-russias-putin-may-be-irrational-on-ukraine-1083376.html">UK's Johnson says Russia's Putin may be 'irrational' on Ukraine</a></strong></p>.<p>Its statement added that the sides discussed the supply of weapons and ammunition by NATO countries to Ukraine, which the Kremlin said was pushing Kyiv towards a "military solution" against separatists in the country's east.</p>.<p>"As a result, civilians... who have to evacuate to Russia to escape the intensifying shelling, suffer," the Kremlin added.</p>.<p>The statement however noted that "the presidents believe it is important to intensify efforts to find solutions through diplomatic means".</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/ukraines-zelensky-calls-on-putin-to-meet-as-tensions-soar-1083327.html">Ukraine's Zelensky calls on Putin to meet as tensions soar</a></strong></p>.<p>It said the leaders agreed these efforts should be carried out by foreign ministers and representatives from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine, which make up the Normandy negotiations group.</p>.<p>"Vladimir Putin reiterated the need for the United States and NATO to take Russian demands for security guarantees seriously," the Kremlin's readout added.</p>.<p>The statement said Putin had told Macron that Western countries should give concrete and point-by-point responses to sweeping demands set by Moscow last December to limit the West's role in eastern Europe and ex-Soviet countries.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>