A meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place on Friday. The two leaders met for the first time since December 2022.
The phone call between Berlin and Moscow lasted an hour and came after Putin also spoke with incoming US President Donald Trump, who promised an early end to the war in Ukraine, but details were not disclosed and caused major concerns. .
War in Ukraine. Zelensky criticizes Scholz's conversation with President Putin
Mr. Scholz's meeting with Mr. Putin took place at a critical moment in the invasion of Ukraine, when Russia, with support from North Korean forces, is planning a strong counterattack in Kursk and making significant advances in eastern Ukraine.
Scholz himself reportedly told Putin that sending North Korean soldiers to the front lines was a “serious escalation” of the war, but also agreed to maintain contact with the dictator. .
See also: Olaf Scholz met with Vladimir Putin. Donald Tusk: I'm happy to accept.
Meanwhile, Reuters claims that Zelenskiy repeatedly warned Scholz not to make phone calls with Putin, claiming it would allow the invasion to continue.
In a speech Friday night, the Ukrainian leader said the conversation between Scholz and President Putin would open a “Pandora's Box” and undermine efforts to isolate the dictator.
– There may be another conversation now. Just a lot of words. And this is what President Putin has wanted for a long time, Zelenskiy said.
War in Ukraine. Mr. Scholz called President Putin for the first time in about two years.
According to a German government statement, Olaf Scholz pressed his interlocutors to withdraw soldiers from Ukraine and start negotiations with Kiev that would lead to a just and lasting peace.
Scholz's cabinet spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said the prime minister underlined his unwavering support for Kyiv during the meeting, which will continue as long as necessary.
See also: ISW: Vladimir Putin seeks to shape Donald Trump's foreign policy
Before calling Putin, the Western leader also met with President Zelensky and was planning a visit to Kiev in the near future. He was also to inform allies, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, of details of the conversation.
Zelenskiy: “It's beneficial for President Putin to be at the table.''
The Kremlin also commented on the politicians' conversation, in which Putin told Scholz that any potential deal on Ukraine would need to be based on “new territorial realities” and address the root causes of the conflict. said, said.
The Russian dictator also cited a June speech in which he stressed that Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join NATO and withdraw all its soldiers from areas claimed by Russia, calling for Russia to end the war. The request was announced for everyone to know.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio that peace talks are possible only if “Ukraine does not become isolated and becomes stronger.” He added that while Putin is not interested in peace, it would be helpful for him to “sit at the table” and talk to leaders to show that he is not isolated.
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