Chancellor Scholz commented on the call with President Putin on X. @Bundeskanzler shared via X
(The Post News)- A heated discussion has been sparked by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticized the exchange as opening a “Pandora’s box.” Urging Putin to negotiate a “just” peace agreement with Ukraine was the goal of the call, which was the first since 2022.
Concerned that the call might harm Putin’s isolation attempts, Zelenskyy voiced his concerns. Zelenskyy suggested that there may be more calls and discussions now, as Putin has long wished. According to the Kremlin, Mr. Putin reminded the German chancellor that any deal to halt the war in Ukraine should take into account “new territorial realities” after the call. Any agreement, he continued, should recognize Russia’s security demands, such as Kyiv’s refusal to join NATO.
The Chancellor urged Putin to remove troops and denounced Russia’s aggressiveness, according to Scholz’s office. But in response, the Kremlin said that any deal must consider Russia’s security requirements as well as “new territorial realities.” The spokesperson stated that the chancellor called on Russia to be open to discussing with Ukraine in order to secure a fair and lasting peace and emphasized Germany’s steadfast commitment to stand by Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression for as much time as needed.
The timing of the call has sparked criticism, particularly given President-elect Donald Trump’s reelection, which casts doubt on US support for Ukraine. Trump has previously said he could mediate peace in a day and questioned Kyiv about the scope of help. According to a Kremlin statement, Putin, who earlier this month declared that it is up to Western leaders to re-establish contact with Russia if they so desire, further addressed the “unprecedented degradation” of German-Russian bilateral relations. The leaders also talked about the Middle East situation.
Germany has reiterated its support for Ukraine’s “fair peace” while the discussion continues. The whole community is keeping a careful eye on the battle as it nears its 1,000th day, wondering what lies ahead.
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