Putin, Michel discuss solution to EU-Belarus migrant crisis in telephone call

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed possible solutions to the EU-Belarus refugee crisis and other international issues in a telephone call with European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday.

Both sides stressed the importance of resolving the migration crisis in conformity with the norms of international humanitarian law, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin said that the intention of the EU to introduce new sanctions against Belarus would prove counterproductive.

The Russian leader further pointed to the use of tear gas, stun grenades, water cannons and other equipment by Polish security forces, and expressed the hope that further violence against migrants would be prevented to avoid escalation.

Putin and Michel also discussed the Ukrainian conflict and the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Afghanistan and Libya.