Putin, Scholz hold first call in nearly two years amid ongoing Ukraine conflict
PHOTO: AL JAZEERA
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first conversation in nearly two years on Friday as Western nations brace for the incoming Trump administration, which has expressed intentions to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The phone call, lasting about an hour, focused primarily on the war in Ukraine. Scholz, facing a snap election in February after his coalition government collapsed, urged Putin to enter negotiations with Ukraine to achieve a “just and lasting peace.”
He also reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary, condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, and warned against the escalation of the conflict, particularly regarding the deployment of North Korean soldiers in Russia to fight Ukrainian forces near Kursk.
Putin, in response, stressed that the crisis stemmed from NATO's policies and reiterated the Kremlin’s position that any agreements must reflect Russia’s security interests and new territorial realities. He also expressed Moscow’s openness to “mutually beneficial cooperation,” including energy trade, contingent on Berlin’s stance.
The call comes at a time when Ukraine’s military is facing significant challenges, with Russian forces making advances in the east. Additionally, the potential re-election of Donald Trump as US president raises uncertainties about the future of American support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised the call, stating that it opened a “Pandora’s box” and weakened efforts to isolate Putin. He suggested that the conversation could lead to more diplomatic outreach from Russia, a tactic that Putin has long sought to advance.
Scholz, however, communicated with Zelenskiy both before and after the call, underscoring continued support for Ukraine.
The call signals a shift in the diplomatic landscape as both leaders acknowledge the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the changing international dynamics surrounding the war.