Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the latter engaged in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in nearly two years. The discussion, which Scholz initiated, included condemnation of Russia’s ongoing military actions against Ukraine and a call for the Kremlin to withdraw its troops. Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, highlighted the German leader’s encouragement for Russia to pursue negotiations with Ukraine to achieve a fair and lasting peace.
The Kremlin acknowledged the call, characterizing it as a “detailed and frank exchange” regarding the Ukrainian conflict. During the discussion, Putin reportedly insisted that any agreement to conclude the war should consider Russia’s security interests and address the new territorial realities stemming from the conflict, which would necessitate Ukraine’s concession of four occupied regions as a condition for negotiations—a demand that Kyiv has categorically rejected.
Zelensky’s response was one of concern, expressing that the call effectively opened a “Pandora’s Box” that could benefit Putin by lessening his international isolation. Ukraine’s leadership has emphasized the necessity of concrete actions that would compel Russia to cease hostilities rather than mere persuasion, which they believe weakens their position.
In the lead-up to the call, Scholz communicated with Zelensky, yet the Ukrainian president’s apprehensions remained unaddressed. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry articulated the need for decisive actions rather than attempts at appeasement. Meanwhile, Scholz’s outreach extended to the Quad nations, including France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, although it was made clear that the message to Putin was not discussed in coordination with these allies.
The hour-long exchange saw Scholz condemn Russian airstrikes targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and assert that the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict would drastically escalate tensions. The two leaders agreed to maintain communication, with Scholz planning to update Berlin’s allies.
Looking ahead, Scholz is scheduled to engage in discussions with world leaders at an upcoming G20 meeting in Brazil, where Putin is expected to be absent. Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, Putin has had limited dialogues with Western leaders, with his last significant communication occurring with Scholz in December 2022.
As the war nears the three-year mark, Ukraine faces a harsh winter exacerbated by extensive damage to its energy infrastructure due to persistent Russian attacks. The support from Germany, which has been one of Ukraine’s most substantial military backers after the United States, is put into question by the prospective election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president. Trump has openly criticized aid to Ukraine and has suggested that peace could be reached swiftly if he were to take office, while simultaneously indicating a willingness to engage with Putin directly.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Zelensky remarked on his recent conversation with Trump, describing it as “constructive” and noting that he felt no conflict with Ukraine’s stance. The Kremlin has dismissed claims of a direct discussion between Putin and Trump regarding the Ukraine situation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed satisfaction after receiving an update from Scholz on his conversation with Putin, reaffirming the ongoing Polish position that any negotiations concerning Ukraine should involve Ukrainian representatives.
