MOSCOW, October 27 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin informed by phone Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere about the start of a humanitarian operation in the area of Alyoshki (Oleshky), the Kremlin said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the leaders held a telephone conversation at the initiative of the Finnish and Norwegian side.

The Russian President informed about the beginning of a humanitarian operation conducted with the mediation of the United States in the area of the Russian settlement of Alyoshki and the introduction of a temporary 'regime of silence' in the Kherson direction for this purpose, the statement said.

Putin assessed during the conversation the current situation in the conflict zone in Ukraine, recalling its root causes, the Kremlin added.

It was emphasized that achieving a just, long-term peace is possible only with full and unconditional consideration of the legitimate interests of Russia, the statement said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar