German Chancellor Scholz speaks with Putin, Zelensky concerned

German Chancellor Scholz speaks with Putin, Zelensky expresses concerns — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (center) and Russian President Vladimir Putin, 2024. Photo: iKurd.net/Reuters/TASS/Zelensky office

BERLIN/KYIV,— German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-hour phone conversation on Friday, marking their first direct discussion since December 2022, Reuters reported.

According to a German government source, the call comes amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, as the war continues to devastate Ukraine.

During the conversation, Scholz pressed Putin to open discussions with Kyiv to work toward a “just and lasting peace.”

A spokesperson for the German government further noted that Scholz highlighted the importance of dialogue to bring an end to the conflict and reduce the ongoing suffering in Ukraine.

However, the call drew strong reactions from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned that it could undermine efforts to isolate Putin and bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Zelensky expressed concern that the phone conversation could open a “Pandora’s box,” potentially leading to more talks that would not yield meaningful progress.

He accused Russia of using negotiations to further its interests without making real concessions, as evidenced by previous rounds of talks since the 2014 conflict in eastern Ukraine.

“Putin wants nothing more than to weaken his isolation,” Zelensky said, stressing that any future negotiations must not allow Russia to continue its aggressive tactics.

Zelensky also reiterated Ukraine’s stance that any potential peace agreement must come with strong security guarantees to ensure Russia cannot resume its attacks.

Kyiv has repeatedly rejected Russia’s demands for Ukrainian territory and NATO membership to be abandoned, viewing such terms as capitulation.

Germany, a key supporter of Ukraine, has provided significant financial aid and military assistance, second only to the United States. However, Kyiv has been frustrated by Berlin’s hesitancy in providing long-range Taurus cruise missiles, which are vital in countering Russia’s own long-range weaponry.

The Kremlin, on the other hand, described the phone call as a “positive” development. Putin reportedly told Scholz that any future peace agreement must address Russian security concerns and reflect the “new territorial realities” following Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions.

Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations and withdraw its forces from the contested regions.

Zelensky was informed ahead of time about the call and had advised against it. As Ukraine approaches the grim milestone of 1,000 days since the full-scale invasion, the fighting intensifies, with Russian forces launching nightly drone attacks on major Ukrainian cities.

The phone call between Scholz and Putin has raised further questions about the future of the war and the prospects for peace, with Kyiv demanding concrete actions from the international community to support its defense.

(With files from Reuters)