German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first direct conversation since December 2022. The call, which aimed to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, was communicated to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit, Scholz emphasized the need for Russia to engage in serious talks with Ukraine to reach a “lasting and just peace.” During the conversation, the German Chancellor also condemned Russia’s reported plans to deploy North Korean soldiers against Ukraine, calling it a severe escalation that risks broadening the conflict.
Hebestreit noted that Scholz had already spoken with Zelensky earlier in the week and plans to follow up with the Ukrainian leader again after his discussion with Putin. However, the call has stirred controversy.
Ukrainian President Zelensky criticized the move, warning it could weaken international efforts to isolate Putin. “This conversation has opened a Pandora’s box,” Zelensky said, expressing concerns that it might lead to further dialogues and undermine the goal of isolating the Russian president. “It’s exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time,” he added.
Zelensky also ruled out any new agreements resembling the previous Minsk accords, which were negotiated to resolve the conflict in Eastern Ukraine starting in 2014. “We need an honest peace, not another Minsk deal,” he asserted.