After many weeks, Scholz and Russia's head of state, Putin, speak. The two talk on the phone for about an hour and a half. According to the Chancellor's Office, the Chancellor is addressing a series of demands and warnings to Moscow.
Around three and a half months after their last conversation to date, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke again on the phone. The Federal Chancellery announced that the 90-minute phone call was about the Russian war against Ukraine and the consequences. The conversation took place after the phone call between Scholz and the Ukrainian President Selenskyj last week.
In view of the military situation, Scholz urged "a diplomatic solution based on a ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine to be reached as soon as possible". The Chancellor made it clear that "any further Russian annexation steps will not remain unanswered and will not be recognized under any circumstances".
Scholz also called on Putin to treat prisoners of war lawfully. With regard to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the chancellor demanded that any escalation steps be avoided and that the measures recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency be implemented.
Finally, both would have talked about the global food situation. Scholz referred to the importance of the grain agreement. He urged Putin not to discredit the agreement and to fully implement it. Both agreed to keep in touch.
