Scholz talks to Putin and ends the isolation about Ukraine

Von WOM

Berlin - Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been on the phone for the first time in almost two years with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This happened in an important political phase, while Scholz is preparing for new elections and Europe on Donald Trump's planned approach to end the Ukraine awaits.

The content of the conversation

in a phone call that immediately by the Ukrainian president VOLODYMYR Zelensky was criticized, Scholz Putin asked to deduct his troops from Ukraine and start talks with Kiev in order to pave the way for a "fair and permanent peace", as the German government announced.

reactions to the conversation

The Kremlin said that the conversation came about on request from Berlin. Putin had emphasized that an agreement to terminate the war in Russia's Ukraine must take into account security interests and reflect the "new territorial realities". Zelensky described the call as "Pandora’s Box" because he undermined the efforts to insulate the Russian guide. He and other European civil servants had previously warned Scholz before this step because he was more of interest for the internal policy discourse.

The situation of the SPD before the new elections

Before the new elections on February 23, Scholz 'SPD is exposed to the pressure of Russia-friendly populist parties who argue that the government has not shown enough diplomatic use to end the war. "The Chancellor asked Russia to show the willingness to have talks with Ukraine in order to achieve a fair and permanent peace," said a spokesman for the German government.

Scholz 'Support for Ukraine

The spokesman added: "He emphasized Germany's unbroken determination to support Ukraine in her defense fight against Russian aggression as long as necessary." However, Ukraine explained that phone calls with Putin would not bring any added value on the way to a "fair peace", but only serve to weaken its isolation.

Trump and the geopolitical implications

The conversation took place in the week after Trump's election as the next US President, whereby he indicated that he could end the war quickly without explaining his approach. A western diplomat expressed: "A bad signal sends a bad signal, especially after Trump's choice." He added that his country had pointed out Berlin that this was not a good idea.

further developments and support for Ukraine

Scholz Plant, Zelensky, Germany's allies as well as the leaders of the European Union and NATO about the outcome of the conversation. The Kremlin has announced that Russia was ready to discuss energy transactions when Germany is interested, especially since Germany was heavily dependent on Russian gas before the war. In the meantime, Germany has provided a total of 15 billion euros in financial, humanitarian and military support since the beginning of the comprehensive war, which makes it the second largest supporter of Kyiv in the USA.

The geopolitical tensions and the conflict

Scholz and Putin last spoke in December 2022, ten months after the start of the extensive invasion of Russia to Ukraine. The discussions and the support received so far could also become important in view of the unclear future US help for Ukraine after Trump's election victory. This is a developing story that is continuously updated.