The German president calls on Putin to hold serious and direct talks with Zelenskyy.

 German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine immediately, Spiegel reports. “Respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, stop fighting,” Steinmeier said. “Mr. Putin, stop the suffering and destruction in Ukraine! Withdraw your troops! And do not refuse direct and serious talks with President Zelenskyy!” he declared. According to Steinmeier, Putin’s war of aggression affects not only the people of Ukraine. Because millions of tons of grain are blocked in Ukrainian seaports, world grain prices have risen sharply, he added.