BERLIN:German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for the first time in nearly two years, as Germany approaches a snap election and Europe awaits former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for ending the war in Ukraine.
In the phone call, which drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian forces from Ukraine and initiate talks with Kyiv to achieve a “just and lasting peace,” according to the German government.
The Kremlin stated that the call was made at Berlin’s request and that Putin insisted any agreement must address Russia’s security concerns and acknowledge “new territorial realities.”
Zelensky sharply criticized the call, claiming it undermined efforts to isolate Putin. He argued that such discussions served Putin’s interest by weakening his international isolation. Other European officials also expressed reservations about the call, suggesting it was driven by Scholz’s domestic political pressures.
With Germany’s Social Democrats under pressure ahead of the February 23 snap election, Scholz faces challenges from populist parties advocating for more diplomatic efforts to end the war.
“The chancellor emphasized Germany’s steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression while urging Russia to engage in meaningful negotiations with Ukraine,” a German government spokesperson said.
However, Ukraine dismissed the conversation as unproductive. “Such calls provide no added value toward achieving peace but only help Putin break his isolation,” Zelensky said in his evening address.
The call followed Trump’s recent election as the next U.S. president. Trump has suggested he could quickly end the war, though he has not detailed how, and has criticized the level of Western aid to Ukraine.
A Western diplomat expressed concerns over the timing of Scholz’s call. “It sends a poor signal, especially after Trump’s election,” the diplomat said. “Hopefully, Scholz can now demonstrate to his electorate that dialogue with Putin is futile.”
French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, has no plans to engage with Putin, according to sources in his team.
Scholz to Update Allies
The Kremlin noted that Putin raised the possibility of renewed energy deals with Germany, despite the cessation of Russian gas shipments after the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in 2022.
Scholz intends to brief Zelensky, Germany’s allies, EU leaders, and NATO officials on the call’s outcome, German officials confirmed. Putin and Scholz agreed to remain in contact.
As Ukraine faces mounting challenges on the eastern frontlines, Scholz reportedly told Putin that the deployment of North Korean troops to assist Russia in combat would be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict.