PM Xavier Bettel Calls for Ceasefire, Negotiated Solution in Phone Call with Vladimir Putin

On Monday 14 March 2022, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the telephone.

This exchange of views followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine which began on 24 February 2022 and which violates international law and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations (UN). According to Luxembourg's Ministry of State, the Grand Duchy condemns this aggression "in the strongest terms".

"Since our first meeting in Sochi [in Russia] in 2015 and during our many exchanges thereafter, I have always taken care to try to contribute to ensuring the security and stability of the European continent, and to maintaining peace. This remains my motivation today", explained Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. "However, the situation has unfortunately evolved in a dramatic way. War is back on the European continent following a Russian military aggression. I deeply regret the turn of events. No one stands to gain from these clashes; neither Russia, nor Europe and certainly not Ukraine which demonstrates today, if need be, that it is indeed a sovereign country which defends itself to maintain its presence in the concert of nations independent".

During this phone call, Luxembourg's Prime Minister also deplored the catastrophic deterioration of the humanitarian situation, as well as the disastrous consequences of the military clashes on civilian populations. He emphasised: "We must put an end to this human tragedy, immediately stop this attack in progress against Ukraine and establish a ceasefire. Everything must be done to ensure that humanitarian corridors are respected and that innocent civilians can escape military clashes, particularly in Mariupol".

Moreover, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stressed the importance of a negotiated solution to this conflict. After the meetings of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, the meeting between the two countries' Foreign Ministers, Sergei Lavrov (Russia) and Dmytro Kuleba (Ukraine) in Antalya, Turkey last Thursday constitutes progress, according to Luxembourg's Prime Minister, even if no tangible results could be achieved immediately.

"Following my call with President [Volodymyr] Zelensky last week, I know that the Ukrainian side remains open to discuss possible solutions. To get out of this crisis, negotiations must now continue at the highest level, from president to president. I would like to encourage you to establish direct contact with President Zelensky", Prime Minister Xavier Bettel told the Russian President.

According to the Kremlin website: "At the request of Xavier Bettel, Vladimir Putin updated him on the Russian special military operation being carried out to protect Donbass, explained its goals and tasks, and told his counterpart about the situation at the Russian-Ukrainian talks".

The two parties have decided to stay in contact on a regular basis and to continue this dialogue.