Scholz labels the Putin phone call "unpleasant yet necessary"
In mid-November, Olaf Scholz had a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. The Chancellor then faced a wave of criticism. Now, Scholz reveals that the conversation with the Russian leader was "unpleasant."
In a conversation with ZDF, Scholz shared details of the phone call, emphasising that it was "unpleasant" but "responsible and necessary."
Putin "did not step back"
The German Chancellor recalled meeting with Putin before the war began and expressing his position, clearly indicating that Putin's later justifications for the war do not correspond to reality.
Scholz noted that he had multiple phone conversations with the Kremlin leader until the end of 2022, and none of those talks "were easy or pleasant." He said the situation during the last conversation "did not change," yet he "considers such dialogues important."
He added that some believe that "peace can be quickly achieved with just one phone call." However, Scholz described such expectations as "illusory" and emphasised that Putin has not changed his stance and has not stepped back even a bit.
- All the arguments were essentially repeated again. And for me, it was clear that I had to repeat mine as well. So, Putin, don't expect us to reduce our support. You need to find a way out of this war. You must stop your attacks and withdraw your troops - the Chancellor explained.
Scholz's talks with Putin
On 15th November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the Kremlin leader for the first time in two years.
During the conversation, the Chancellor condemned Russia's actions in the war against Ukraine, urged the leader to withdraw troops, and addressed the issue of potential negotiations with Kyiv.
