Scholz and Putin break silence: a risky diplomatic chess move
Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his daily address to Ukrainians that the call from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Vladimir Putin opens a Pandora's box. Following this, other politicians may also make calls. "And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time," he mentioned.
"Regarding one of today's news stories. Chancellor Scholz told me that he is going to call Putin. Olaf's call, in my opinion, is Pandora's box. Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words," the Ukrainian Prime Minister remarked in his daily speech to his compatriots on Friday evening.
"And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: it is crucial for him to weaken his isolation. Russia's isolation. And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing. As he has been doing for decades. This allowed Russia to change nothing in its policy, to do nothing substantial, and ultimately it led to this war.," he added.
Zelensky assured that Ukraine understands these challenges and knows how to act. "Apparently, one cannot trust Russia’s words, and there will be no Minsk 3, which Russia would violate immediately after signing," he emphasised.
Scholz - Putin conversation: The first in nearly two years
On Friday, for the first time in nearly two years, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Vladimir Putin. The last contact between the two leaders took place in December 2022. The German government's spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, provided this information.
Hebestreit disclosed that during his conversation with Putin, Scholz insisted that Russia should be prepared for talks with Ukraine to negotiate a lasting, just peace.
He stressed that Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday and intends to contact him again after discussing with Putin.
