Scholz makes rare call to Putin about Ukraine


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Amidst his government’s collapse and impending snap elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unexpected diplomatic move by reaching out to Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking their first conversation in nearly two years.

During the hour-long call on Friday, Scholz pressed Putin to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing Moscow’s failure to achieve its military objectives and urging withdrawal of Russian forces. The conversation represented their first direct communication since December 2022.

According to *Die Welt*, Scholz reinforced Germany’s commitment to supporting Ukraine throughout the conflict. The timing of this diplomatic outreach coincides with the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, where Scholz and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are expected to attend, though Putin himself remains absent due to an international arrest warrant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the communication, describing it as a “Pandora’s box” that could weaken Putin’s international isolation. Russian state media reported Putin’s position remained firm, indicating willingness to negotiate only if his conditions were met, including Ukraine ceding territory and accepting demilitarization.

Such high-level communication between Western leaders and Putin has become increasingly rare. While early in the conflict, European leaders like Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron maintained regular contact with Putin, these exchanges gradually diminished. Macron, initially pursuing diplomatic solutions, later shifted to become one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters.

The timing of Scholz’s call is particularly noteworthy as it comes during his government’s final days. His leftist coalition recently dissolved due to financial disagreements and concerns about potential U.S. political changes. As Germany approaches February elections, right-wing parties currently lead in polls, suggesting a significant political shift ahead.