Scholz wants to talk to Putin about Ukraine ‘soon’

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to resume a dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin “soon” to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.

“Yes, I have resolved to speak to the Russian president at the right time,” the German leader told a Sunday evening talk show on public broadcaster ARD.

“But I am a responsible politician, I don’t do it alone,” Scholz added. A conversation with Putin requires contacts and conversations with a number of other parties. The situation must also be discussed with Ukraine, said Scholz.

When asked when the right time for a conversation with Putin would be, Scholz replied: “Soon.”

The chancellor stressed that it was important to ensure that “Ukraine can rely on us and others and does not have to fear being left alone. And that we 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 whether this war will go on 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 a 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 attack on Ukraine in February 2022.