In the complicated landscape of international relations, the tension between Russia And Ukraine continues to be a challenge of considerable complexity. In this delicate context, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz he broke a sort of glass ceiling that had been preventing the EU and Russia from dialogue for some time: the Chancellor picked up the phone and spoke to Vladimir Putin, especially about Ukraine.
Scholz’s requests
During the telephone exchange, Scholz clearly expressed the need to conclude military operations in Ukraineemphasizing the importance of the withdrawal of Russian forces from the country. This commitment reflects Germany’s position, ready to support Ukraine “as much as necessary”, according to a German government spokesperson. Scholz also invited Russia to begin direct negotiations with Ukraine to achieve a “just and lasting peace”.
A specific concern raised during discussions between Germany And Russia concerns the sending of North Korean troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine. This action was interpreted by Scholz as “a worrying escalation” and a widening of the conflict that deserves strong condemnation. The message sent to Putin aims to highlight the danger of further destabilization and expansion of the conflict.
Open dialogue
Despite differences of opinion and tensions, the common intention of “keep communications open” post conversation, as highlighted by sources close to the German government and reported by the Russian news agency Tax. This demonstrates the desire of both parties not to interrupt the dialogue, a fundamental element for possible future mediations.
Putin’s position
Putin presented his conditions for a possible agreement to end the conflict, stressing that any solution should take into account the “new territorial realities“. This position refers to Russian control over four partially occupied Ukrainian regions and alludes to the recognition of these changes as the basis for an armistice. Putin’s conditions, which also include Ukraine’s non-membership of NATO, complicate the negotiations, but would also be the basis of the peace plan hypothesized by Donald Trump.
In preparing the phone call with Putin, Scholz consulted and coordinated the German position with international partners, including the United StatesThe United Kingdomthe France and the other members of the G7, as reported by Spiegel. This coordination underlines the importance Germany places on joint action among allies in managing the Ukrainian conflict.
Ukraine protests
However, Ukraine has expressed criticism towards German diplomatic initiatives. The president Volodymyr Zelenskycited by Sky Newsexpressed concerns about the possible effect of Scholz’s phone call to Putin in decreasing the Russian leader’s international isolation, giving him a strategic advantage that could prolong the conflict rather than bring it closer to its resolution.