MOSCOW, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron expressed readiness to further promote bilateral relations during a telephone conversation on Thursday, the Kremlin press service said.
"The two presidents expressed a mutual desire to develop the traditionally friendly ties between the two countries in politics, trade, economy, cultural, humanitarian and other sectors," the Kremlin said in a statement.
They also pledged to work together on current international and regional issues, especially underlining the importance of their continued cooperation on resolving Ukraine's internal conflict, it said.
Macron was sworn in as the new French president on Sunday.
