German Chancellor’s Call with Putin Shows No Change in War Stance

In a significant diplomatic development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held an hour-long phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their first direct communication in nearly two years. During the call, Scholz firmly stated that Putin should not expect any reduction in support for Ukraine from Germany, Europe, or other allies.

The timing of this conversation is noteworthy, occurring three months before Germany’s early elections. This diplomatic engagement has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who viewed it as potentially undermining Western solidarity with Kyiv.

This contact comes amid increasing signs of Western leaders engaging with the Kremlin. Recent developments include UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s participation in the BRICS meeting in Russia, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s expected attendance at a security meeting in Malta this December.

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