- Putin, Macron urge inspection of nuclear site -

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron call for independent inspections at the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the Kremlin says.

During their first call in three months, the two leaders call for experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) watchdog to inspect the plant "as soon as possible" and "assess the real situation on the ground", the Kremlin says.

The plant, Europe's biggest, was seized by Russian troops in March and recent fighting around it has raised the spectre of a nuclear incident comparable to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

Both Kyiv and Moscow have this week accused each other of preparing "provocations" at the facility.

Putin "stressed that the systematic shelling by the Ukrainian military of the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant creates the danger of a large-scale catastrophe that could lead to radiation contamination of vast territories", the Kremlin says.

The French presidency specifies that Putin has dropped his demand that the IAEA team travel to the site via Russia, saying it could arrive via Ukraine "in respect of Ukrainian sovereignty".

- UN chief urges Russia on electricity grid -

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asks that the Zaporizhzhia station not be cut off from Ukraine's electricity grid, following Ukrainian reports that Moscow is planning to do so.

"Obviously the electricity from Zaporizhzhia is Ukrainian electricity... This principle must be fully respected," he says during a visit to the port of Odessa in southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian energy operator Energoatom has alleged that Russian troops are planning to "shut off the reactors" at Zaporizhzhia, which is capable of supplying four million homes.

- Putin decries obstacles to food, fertiliser exports -

During their call, Putin tells Macron that Russia is facing obstacles in the export of its food products and fertiliser.

"There are still obstacles to the mentioned Russian exports that does not contribute to the solution of problems related to ensuring global food security," the Kremlin says.

Last month in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine signed landmark deals with Turkey and the United Nations that opened secure corridors for grain exports to leave Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

A similar agreement signed at the same time allowed Russia to export its agricultural products and fertiliser despite Western sanctions over Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine.

The French presidency denies any "obstacles" hindering Russian agriculture exports.

- 'Total lack of progress' for Russia: Pentagon -

Ukraine's forces have brought the Russian advance to a halt in recent weeks and the Russian military's positions on the ground have weakened, a senior US defence official says.

"You are seeing a complete and total lack of progress by the Russians on the battlefield," the official says, speaking to reporters on grounds of anonymity.

Separately the US Defence Department announces a new $775 million package of defence equipment and ammunition for Ukraine, including Himars missiles, artillery, and mine-clearing systems.

- Finland, Sweden to meet Turkey on NATO bids -

Finland will host a meeting with Sweden and Turkey later this month, the Finnish foreign minister Pekka Haavisto says, in a bid to counter Ankara's opposition to the Nordic countries' NATO bids.

Finland and Sweden dropped their longstanding policies of military non-alliance earlier this year when they announced plans to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Their bids have already been ratified by the United States and more than half of the 30 members of NATO. Each application must win unanimous consent from member states.

Only Turkey has opposed their applications, demanding concessions from Helsinki and Stockholm over extradition requests for suspects linked to a 2016 coup attempt and outlawed Kurdish militants.

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