Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky first held a telephone conversation. The conversation took place at the initiative of the Ukrainian side, according to the Kremlin press service.

During the conversation, the heads of state discussed the settlement of the situation in the south-east of Ukraine and the "work on the return of persons held on both sides."

According to the press service of the President of Ukraine, one of the key issues was the release of Ukrainian sailors, who were accused of violating the state border of Russia in the Kerch Strait in November 2018.

In addition, the parties also discussed the possibility of continuing negotiations in the Norman format.

"The Qazaq Times"