German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said sanctions on Russia could only be lifted if Moscow and Kyiv reach a peace agreement that is not imposed or dictated. He spoke after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before. Scholz told a broadcast on May 14 that, eventually, Russia must understand that sanctions will end only through a genuine deal with Ukraine and that any peace must be accepted by Kyiv and not imposed from outside.
The chancellor emphasized that Berlin would insist on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. He noted that Germany would help Ukraine defend itself and, together with its allies, ensure Russia withdraws its forces from Ukraine. He added that the decision on lifting restrictions would be a matter for Kyiv to determine.
Scholz also affirmed that the Federal Republic of Germany and its partners would continue supplying arms to Kyiv and keeping pressure on Moscow through sanctions. He stated that sanctions would continue, because the overarching objective is the failure of Russia’s invasion. This stance remains the guiding principle of German policy, he said.
In the same remarks, Scholz rejected the view that European Union sanctions have little effect on Russia. He argued that the measures have a pronounced impact, weakening the Russian economy and constraining its development prospects over time.
Following their discussions, Scholz suggested Moscow had not altered its position on Ukraine. He said the Russian military operation had not achieved its initial objectives and that NATO had not disengaged; instead, it had reinforced forces on the eastern flank and was preparing to welcome Finland and Sweden. He argued that Moscow’s real aim appeared to be expanding influence and territory, a characterization that underscored the difficulty of achieving a quick settlement.
Scholz warned that the consequences of the current crisis would be felt for generations, describing potential impacts that could stretch into the distant future.
Phone call from Scholz to Putin
The dialogue between Scholz and Putin was initiated by Germany and, according to the Kremlin press service, the leaders agreed to continue discussions through multiple channels. The conversations focused on humanitarian considerations and measures to protect Ukrainian and Donbass populations, including the evacuation of civilians from the Azovstal site in Mariupol with the involvement of UN and Red Cross representatives.
On May 4, Scholz spoke at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and pledged to keep talking with Putin. He remarked that negotiations could regain momentum only if both sides engaged earnestly, implying a restart was necessary after a period of stalemate.
Throughout the Russian operation in Ukraine, Scholz and Putin have communicated repeatedly by phone. They spoke in the days leading up to February 21, with Putin briefing Scholz on the outcomes of a Russian Security Council meeting. Scholz criticized the potential recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, arguing such moves would contradict the Minsk agreements. Nevertheless, on the same day, Putin signed a decree addressing the status of those republics.
On March 9, the leaders spoke again to discuss the results of the third round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations and the steps to establish humanitarian corridors for civilians trapped in conflict zones. A March 11 statement from Scholz underscored the importance of maintaining a dialogue with Moscow to resolve the conflict promptly. He noted that he and French President Emmanuel Macron often speak with the Russian president, highlighting the sustained diplomatic channel. In a March 18 meeting, Putin told Scholz that Ukrainian positions were unrealistic and suggested that such attitudes were designed to delay negotiations. The penultimate call occurred on March 30, during which Moscow informed Berlin of a decision to settle gas payments in rubles, a move Scholz described as a shift in economic terms rather than a victory in political talks.