German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared details of his recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, revealing no significant change in the Kremlin’s stance on the Ukraine war.
The hour-long conversation on Friday marked their first direct exchange in nearly two years, with Scholz candidly describing the outcome as disappointing.
“The conversation was very detailed but contributed to a recognition that little has changed in the Russian president’s views of the war – and that’s not good news,” Scholz admitted during a press briefing at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Using the opportunity to reiterate Germany’s unwavering support for Ukraine, Scholz made it clear to Putin that Western backing for Kyiv would not falter. “It was important to tell him [Putin] that he cannot count on support [for Kyiv] from Germany, Europe, and many others in the world waning,” Scholz emphasized.
Addressing criticism of his outreach, Scholz dismissed claims that talking to Putin could weaken Western unity. He insisted on the importance of keeping communication open, even with such challenging dynamics. “There are those in Germany who consider the lack of negotiations with Putin a good idea, but I am not one of them,” he said.
Looking ahead, Scholz confirmed his intention to maintain dialogue with Putin. “Soon I will talk to the president of Russia again,” he noted, underscoring that engagement between key global leaders remains critical. He also stressed the importance of European voices in such discussions, saying, “In my view, it would not be a good idea if there were talks between the American and Russian presidents and the leader of an important European country was not also doing so.”
During the call, Scholz urged Putin to negotiate directly with Kyiv to achieve lasting peace and withdraw Russian troops from areas Berlin recognizes as Ukrainian territory. This outreach comes amid increased diplomatic efforts from Western leaders, though Moscow has consistently blamed Kyiv for stalling talks.
Berlin officials, echoing Scholz’s sentiments, continue to view dialogue with Russia as essential, despite the ongoing challenges.
