Question: Did Vladimir Putin say that Russia would not target or harm Ukrainian civilians?
Answer: French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone a few days after Russia invaded Ukraine. In his account of the Feb. 28 call, Macron said Putin had committed to stopping strikes on civilians. We were not able to verify exactly what Putin said. The Russian account of the call repeated the false claim that Russian forces have not threatened or targeted civilians. Russian strikes, however, have hit apartment buildings, health care facilities and places where Ukrainian civilians were sheltering.
Days after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone.
News reports said the Feb. 28 call with Putin lasted 90 minutes. Macron "reiterated the international community’s demand to end the Russian offensive against Ukraine" and asked Putin to stop strikes and attacks on civilians and residential areas, preserve civilian infrastructure, and secure main roads, according to a statement from Macron’s office.
"President Putin confirmed that he was willing to commit to these three points," Macron’s statement said.
When reporting on the French account of the call, some news outlets said that Putin had agreed to stop strikes on Ukrainian civilians.
Reuters’ headline read: "Macron demands Russia stop offensive, says Putin agrees to halt strikes on civilians."
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