Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her position on the future of the Ukraine war in an interview with the British daily newspaper The Times. The former German chancellor stressed that Ukraine must take its own decision to start negotiations for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Russia, but it is important to involve Western countries in this process.
– It is our task to maintain Ukraine's independence, and I support the actions of the current government and the European Union in this regard. But I am sure that someday (…) we will need a dialogue (with Russia) – Editor. There would be no purely military solution, she argued.
Conversation between Mr. Scholz and Mr. Putin. “They are looking for an opportunity to reach an agreement with Russia.”
A few days before Chancellor Angela Merkel's interview was published, German media reported on a telephone conversation between Olaf Scholz and Vladimir Putin. The German Chancellor acknowledged the media reports, and negative comments poured in about the attitude of government leaders. Before departing for the G20 summit, officials explained why they decided to meet with the Russian president.
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– It was important for him to hear that he could not count on support from Germany, Europe and many other countries regarding Ukraine. Hearing this, he says that whether or not the war ends is also up to him. He said the talks were very detailed and resulted in the conclusion that the Russian president's views on the war had changed little.
Among others, Andrzej Duda criticized Olaf Scholz's actions.
– I do not believe that it (conversation – editor) was agreed upon by the allies. I think this is an arbitrary action by Prime Minister Scholz.”
“They (Berlin authorities) are looking for opportunities to reach an agreement with Russia so that they can go back to energy contracts and buy energy raw materials from Russia again,” the president suggested.
War in Ukraine. Russia's eastern offensive
At the moment German politicians announced the need to move quickly towards peace negotiations, the Russian military is conducting offensive operations on several fronts. In particular, a very large offensive force has been deployed in Kursk Oblast, where a counteroffensive aimed at expelling Ukrainians from Russian territory is underway.
See also: General Shukzypchak warns against negotiations with Russia. “I don't have much time.”
Russian forces have amassed 59,000 soldiers in the Kursk region, effectively retaking more territory, Reuters reported, citing a military official at Ukraine's General Staff.
– At most it controlled about 1,376 square kilometers, but now its territory is even smaller. The enemy is intensifying its counterattack. We manage approximately 800 square kilometers. We will hold on to this territory as long as it is advantageous from a military point of view, an anonymous source revealed.
The situation is also difficult for Ukrainians in other areas of the front. Russian troops are charging towards Krahov, among other things. According to the latest reports, they managed to break through the defenses in several places. Fierce fighting is also occurring in the towns of Chasiu Yar and Trechik.
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