German initiative
The telephone conversation between Putin and Scholz took place on the initiative of the German side. reported On the Kremlin website. It was stated that the heads of state discussed “various aspects” of the situation around Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin once again detailed Russia’s main approaches to conducting a special military operation. The message drew attention to the destructive line of Western states, including Germany, that armed the Kyiv regime and trained the Ukrainian army.
The Kremlin noted that it was brought to the attention of the chancellor that “it is precisely the comprehensive political and financial support for Ukraine that has led Kiev to completely reject any idea of negotiations.” Moscow also believes that the West’s stance is encouraging “radical Ukrainian nationalists to commit new bloody crimes against civilians.”
In a statement from the Kremlin, Putin urged Scholz to “reconsider their approach in the context of the Ukrainian events”.
“It was noted that the Russian Armed Forces had long avoided targeted missile attacks on certain targets on the territory of Ukraine, but now such measures have become a necessary and inevitable response to the provocative attacks of Kiev’s provocative attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, including the Crimean bridge. energy facilities”, stressed in the press service of the Russian leader.
Putin also reminded Scholz of the “terrorist act against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines”. The President of the Russian Federation is confident that the circumstances of the event should be investigated with the participation of Russian special structures.
On the Kremlin website, “issues related to the implementation of the Istanbul “package” agreements of July 22 on the export of grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and the prevention of food and fertilizer exports from Russia were also touched upon.
It is stated that Putin’s interlocutor focused his attention on the “need for conscientious and comprehensive implementation” of the grain agreement, which “means the removal of all obstacles to Russian supply.”
German version
Steffen Hebestreit, the official representative of the German Cabinet, told reporters that Olaf Scholz met with Vladimir Putin on Friday morning.
“The hour-long conversation focused on Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and beyond,” Hebeshtreit said.
According to him, the chancellor “condemned” Russia’s air strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and, in opposition to the actions of the Russian Federation, “emphasized Germany’s determination to support Ukraine in ensuring its defense capabilities”.
“The Chancellor urged the President of Russia to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, including the withdrawal of Russian troops,” the official representative of the German Cabinet said.
Hebeshtreit concluded that the parties had agreed to maintain contact.
Return to peace with Russia
On the eve of the British newspaper The Times reportedScholz said at a roundtable at the Berlin Security Conference that he hoped to return to the “pre-war peace order” with Russia.
“We must go back to the agreements that form the basis of peace and security in Europe. <...> If Moscow is also ready for this, we can return to the functioning peaceful order and make it safe again,” he said.
At the same time, he explained that improving relations is possible only if “Putin is ready to renounce aggression towards his neighbors.”
The authors of the material believe that Scholz made the “most frankly-to-date” statement about his plans to organize the future world order.
The German leader also announced that Berlin is “ready” for dialogue with the Kremlin on arms control and missile deployment. The article says that the position of the chancellor is very different from that of Poland and the Baltic states, “Putin’s most ambitious opponents among NATO members.”
Source: Gazeta
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.