In a phone conversation on Friday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “end” the ongoing war in Ukraine and to “withdraw troops.” The call, which lasted about an hour, marked their first direct communication in nearly two years, according to reports from German media.
“The Federal Chancellor urged Russia to be prepared to negotiate with Ukraine with the goal of achieving a just and lasting peace,” a German government spokesperson said in a statement. Scholz had informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the planned call beforehand, the spokesperson added.
In recent months, Scholz has been advocating for a second conference on peace in Ukraine, which would include Russia. The first such peace summit took place in Switzerland in June but did not involve the Kremlin.
A German official noted that Scholz and Putin agreed to keep communication channels open. Moreover, the chancellor emphasized the serious ramifications of reports about North Korean soldiers' involvement in combat missions in Ukraine, warning that such actions would lead to a dangerous escalation of the conflict.
Throughout the war, Scholz has attempted to navigate a delicate balance. Germany has provided more military assistance to Ukraine than any other European country, yet Scholz has also positioned himself as a leader who aims to prevent a further escalation of hostilities.
Scholz’s last direct exchange with Putin occurred in December 2022, roughly 10 months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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