German chancellor plans to talk with Russian President Putin on Ukraine ‘soon’

BERLIN

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that he plans to “soon” resume talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at preventing an escalation in the war in Ukraine.

“Yes, I have decided to speak to the Russian President at the right time,” Scholz said in an interview with public broadcaster ARD. However, he continued, “But I am a responsible politician, I don’t do this alone.”

Talking with Putin requires numerous contacts and discussions with others and the problem needs to be discussed with Ukraine as well, he noted.

When asked when the right time would be to talk to Putin, Scholz responded, "Soon."

The German leader stressed that it must be ensured “that Ukraine can rely on us and others and does not have to fear that it will be left alone. And that at the same time we do everything we can to ensure that this war does not escalate.”

Of course, they must determine whether the war must continue indefinitely or whether "we can find ways to end it," the chancellor added.

Scholz has already emphasized his willingness to talk to Putin about a just peace in Ukraine in mid-October. He last spoke to Putin by phone in December 2022.

The chancellor has repeatedly called for a diplomatic solution and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

In June, Scholz did not rule out talks with Putin in the future, but he did say that negotiations would only make sense if there was something concrete to discuss.

Moscow, in turn, declared at the beginning of October that Putin was open to dialogue, even if relations between Moscow and Berlin were effectively at point zero.