In a phone conversation Friday, Scholz urged Putin to “end” the war against Ukraine and “withdraw the troops.” According to German media, the meeting lasted about an hour and marked the first direct interaction between the two leaders in almost two years.
“The Federal Chancellor called on Russia to be ready to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace,” a German government spokesperson said in a statement. A spokesman said Mr. Scholz had informed Mr. Zelenskiy of the call in advance.
Scholz has been pushing for a second Ukraine peace conference in recent months, which would also include Russia. The first peace summit was held in Switzerland in June without the participation of the Kremlin.
According to German government officials, Mr. Scholz and Mr. Putin agreed to maintain contact. The prime minister added, “The dispatch of North Korean soldiers to Russia for combat missions against Ukraine is linked to the serious escalation and escalation of the conflict.”
Mr. Scholz has long been trying to strike an awkward balance on the Ukraine issue, touting the fact that Germany provides more military aid to Kiev than any other European country, while at the same time insisting that the war is spiraling out of control. He has claimed that he is a leader who can prevent this from happening.
Scholz and Putin last met in December 2022, 10 months after the Russian leader launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
