Scholz and Putin Discuss Ukraine Conflict in Rare Phone Call

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a rare phone conversation on Friday, marking their first direct exchange since December 2022.

The dialogue comes at a critical juncture as the war in Ukraine nears its third year and questions loom over the West’s sustained backing for Kyiv.

In a statement released by Berlin, Scholz expressed Germany’s ongoing commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“The Chancellor urged Russia to be prepared to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace,” a German government spokesperson said.

Scholz reiterated Germany’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion and called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

Scholz also informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about his intentions to contact the Kremlin, notifying him before the call and promising to follow up afterward.

Despite this coordination, Zelensky criticized the move, describing it as an “attempt at appeasement” that could undermine efforts to isolate Moscow diplomatically.

“This is exactly what Putin has been wanting for a long time: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation,” Zelensky remarked during a public address on Friday.

The Ukrainian leader has consistently opposed direct talks between Western leaders and the Russian president, viewing them as concessions that embolden Kremlin ambitions.

During the call, Scholz emphasized Berlin’s steadfast support for Ukraine. According to the German government’s statement, he conveyed his nation’s “unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.”

Germany, a key European ally for Kyiv, has provided significant military and economic aid to Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022.

The Kremlin’s account of the call framed the discussion differently, portraying Putin as receptive to dialogue.

According to Russian state media, Putin reiterated his position that Ukraine and its Western allies must accept Russia’s territorial claims, a stance Kyiv and its supporters have firmly rejected. Moscow also accused Western nations of escalating the conflict by supplying advanced weaponry to Ukraine.

The call comes amid a backdrop of shifting dynamics in Western capitals. Debates over continued military aid and budgetary pressures have sparked divisions in the U.S. and European countries, raising questions about the long-term unity of Ukraine’s allies.

Political analysts suggest Scholz’s outreach to Putin could reflect a broader European concern about the war’s trajectory and its global ramifications.

However, such overtures risk alienating Kyiv and could send mixed signals about Western resolve in confronting Russian aggression.

As the conflict drags on, Ukraine has reiterated its demand for a complete Russian withdrawal as a prerequisite for peace negotiations. Conversely, the Kremlin insists on maintaining control over territories it has annexed in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Friday’s call underscores the enduring complexity of diplomatic efforts to address the war in Ukraine.

While Scholz’s engagement highlights Germany’s pursuit of dialogue, Zelensky’s strong reaction reveals the challenges of balancing support for Kyiv with the pursuit of broader diplomatic solutions.