Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Finnish President Sauli Niiniste, the Kremlin press service reported.
“Vladimir Putin explained in detail the reasons for the Russian special military operation to protect Donbass, its goals and objectives, and also informed about the ongoing negotiations with Ukrainian representatives,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
In addition, the leaders of the two countries discussed humanitarian issues and the evacuation of the civilian population from the combat zone in Ukraine.
On February 21, Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the DPR and LPR, then the State Duma and the Federation Council adopted agreements on friendship and mutual assistance between Russia and the republics. On February 24, the head of state announced the start of a Russian special operation in Ukraine to protect the inhabitants of Donbass. The President assured that Russia has no plans to occupy Ukraine, but Moscow will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of this country. On March 2, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that the Russian military was eliminating “the threat that until recently came from Ukraine.” The department believes that NATO bases and nuclear weapons were to appear in the republic in the near future.