Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation on Thursday, the third within seven days, to discuss the Ukrainian crisis and security guarantees.

The leaders continued their "substantive dialogue" on the situation regarding Ukraine and the establishment of long-term and legally binding security guarantees between Russia and the West, the Kremlin said.

Putin cited "provocative statements and actions of the Kiev leadership that run counter to the Minsk agreements" on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

Putin and Macron held phone calls on January 28 and 31 to exchange views on the same issue as tensions between Russia and the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have flared up over the past weeks.

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The French presidency said in a statement that Macron also held talks with the Ukrainian leader on Thursday.

The statement said Macron had underscored to Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky the importance of discussing the conditions to reach strategic balance in Europe which would enable a reduction in tension on the ground and guarantee security on the continent.

(With input from agencies)