The German government spokesperson confirmed that Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging an end to the war in Ukraine.
Scholz’s hour-long call comes as Germany, after the United States, remains Ukraine’s second-largest military supporter over the past two years.
During the conversation, Scholz called for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Kyiv.
Reports indicate that this phone call marked the first direct conversation between Scholz and Putin in two years, highlighting its significance in the ongoing conflict.
Scholz urged Putin to pave the way for negotiations with Kyiv to achieve a “just and lasting peace” in the region.
The Kremlin also confirmed the call, stating that Putin emphasized Russia’s interests in any peace efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his initial reaction, criticized the call, describing it as a ploy by Putin to escape Russia’s growing international isolation.
Zelensky stated, “This is exactly what Putin wants; it is crucial for him to downplay his isolation and that of Russia.”
The phone call underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the Ukraine crisis, even as the conflict continues to escalate. Germany’s role as a key supporter of Ukraine positions Scholz’s outreach as both strategic and controversial.
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