German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that he currently has no plans for a private phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stressed that this does not mean he would rule out contact behind the scenes as the Ukraine crisis continues to unfold.
Scholz offered a conditional outlook, saying, plainly, that a conversation with Putin could happen in the future. He also noted his preference for sustaining Ukraine’s support in the ongoing conflict. Germany has already provided substantial aid, including military assistance, following the United States, he indicated.
As a citizen and a European, Scholz expressed a clear wish for Ukraine to succeed in defending itself against aggression. He underscored the importance of maintaining dialogue with Moscow while assessing how best to support Kyiv and manage wider European interests.
Scholz has repeatedly highlighted the value of keeping channels open with Russia. In remarks spanning different seasons, he and French President Emmanuel Macron have both called for continued contact with Russia, though their stated intentions in Moscow are often framed as hypothetical rather than concrete.
At times, Scholz has also discussed personal language learning efforts, noting his ongoing study of Russian. This personal detail is presented here to illustrate a broader context of engagement with the region beyond formal diplomacy.
Through these positions, Scholz presents a stance that blends cautious diplomacy with firm support for Ukraine, aiming to balance European security concerns with the potential for future dialogue with Russia. The approach reflects a broader consensus among European leaders who seek to uphold solidarity with Ukraine while keeping open lines of communication with Moscow, should circumstances change.
Source: Tagesschau attribution