German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) defended his telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin against criticism. It is important to make it clear to Putin “that he cannot expect the support of Germany, Europe and many others around the world for Ukraine to weaken.”
Friday’s “very detailed” conversation “contributed to the realization that the Russian president has not changed much in his views on this war, which is not good news,” Scholz said. On Friday afternoon, he spoke on the phone with Putin for the first time in almost two years and, according to his own statements, asked the Kremlin leader to “withdraw his troops” and be ready to negotiate with the war adversary.
The Ukrainian government can continue to rely on the German one. “No decision will be made over the heads of Ukraine.” Moreover, “what we announced will be implemented,” the German chancellor said on Sunday before leaving for the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.
In the conversation, the Kremlin is said to have mentioned its well-known demands for a possible deal with Ukraine, including giving up four areas that Russian authorities had declared annexed without fully controlling them.
Kiev: “Try to appease”
The call was criticized by, among others, the Ukrainian and Polish governments and the German opposition (see video above). “No one will stop Putin with phone calls,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. It was said from Kiev that Scholz was trying to appease Putin. Union foreign politician Jürgen Hardt accused the chancellor of helping the Russian president achieve a “propaganda success”.
White House: “Sovereign country”
The German Greens wonder whether there is an election campaign for a ‘peace casserole’ that is not in danger of becoming substantial. There would be no need for “peace in the sense of the peace of the grave.”
The White House, on the other hand, does not see Ukraine being left out. “Germany is a sovereign country that can do whatever it wants with regard to its international relations,” said US Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer. For him, this includes a phone call with Putin.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
