Scholz opens “Pandora's box”: how the conversation between the German Chancellor and Putin went

Scholz opens “Pandora's box”: how the conversation between the German chancellor and Putin went Sofia Khushvakhtova

Olaf Scholz contacted Putin again after almost two years of silence. He called on the Russian president to negotiate a just peace in Ukraine.

On November 17, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in almost two years. This was reported by 24 Kanal, citing Reuters.

What is known about the call between Putin and Scholz

According to the German government, Scholz used the contact to call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine and begin talks with Kiev to achieve a lasting peace.

The Kremlin said the call was initiated by Berlin, and Putin stressed that any agreement to end the war must take into account Russia's security interests and new territorial realities.

Please note! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, commenting on the call, expressed concern that such contacts would only weaken Russia's isolation on the international stage and open the door to further fruitless negotiations.

In Germany, where Scholz is preparing for snap elections, his move has been criticized by opponents who believe that it is achieving peace requires greater diplomacy. At the same time, the Chancellor stressed that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

This call took place against the backdrop of the US elections, where Donald Trump was again elected president, which also added political tension in relations with Russia. At the same time, European leaders, in particular France, do not plan such contacts with Moscow in the near future.

Putin offered Scholz the possibility of energy agreements if Germany was interested after the cessation of gas supplies in 2022. The Chancellor noted that he would inform allies and partners of the results of the conversation, where the escalation of the conflict due to the North Korean military was also discussed.

Scholz's conversation with Putin was agreed upon with Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer.