Scholz Urges Peace Talks With Ukraine in Call With Putin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in negotiations with Ukraine aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace during a phone call this afternoon, German Cabinet spokesman Steffen Hebestreit confirmed on Friday.

"Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin this afternoon," Hebestreit said in a statement.

Scholz emphasized the need for Russia to demonstrate readiness for talks and condemned its ongoing military actions in Ukraine.

Scholz told Putin the conflict in Ukraine must end and assured the Russian president that Germany will support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Scholz had earlier spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and plans to follow up with him after the discussion with Putin.

Germany has been the second-biggest contributor of military assistance to Ukraine throughout the NATO proxy war against Russia, according to Kiel Institute for the World Economy figures, contributing some €10.6 billion ($11.1 billion US) in arms since January 2022, including Leopard 1 and 2 main battle tanks, Flakpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft guns, Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers, and Schutzenpanzer Marder infantry fighting vehicles.