German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to resume dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘soon’ to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
“Yes, I have decided to speak to the Russian president at the right time,” the German leader said in a talk show on public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening.
“But I am a responsible politician, I don’t do it alone,” Scholz added. A conversation with Putin requires contacts and discussions with a number of other parties. The situation should also be discussed with Ukraine, Scholz said.
When asked when would be the right time to talk to Putin, Scholz replied: “Soon.”
The Chancellor emphasized that it is important to ensure that “Ukraine can rely on us and others and not be afraid of being left alone. And that we will do everything we can to prevent this war from escalating.”
Scholz added that “of course we have to see if there are ways to find out if this war will continue forever or if we can find ways to end it.”
In mid-October, Scholz said he was willing to talk to Putin about a just peace in Ukraine, after Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that Putin was open to dialogue with the German leader.
In June, Scholz said he could not rule out a conversation with Putin in the future, but said it would only make sense if there was something specific to discuss.
Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone in December 2022, when he called for a diplomatic solution and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Russia began its all-out assault on Ukraine in February 2022.
