Scholz Urges Putin to Start Peace Talks with Ukraine in Rare Call

Berlin, Nov 15, 2024 – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin peace talks with Ukraine and end the ongoing war. This rare phone call, the first in nearly two years, lasted one hour and focused on finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Scholz stressed that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine and that Germany will continue to support Ukraine’s defense for as long as necessary. “The Chancellor urged Russia to show willingness to talk and aim for a fair and lasting peace,” a German government spokesperson said.

The call comes as Ukraine faces difficult challenges, with Russian forces making steady progress while Ukraine struggles with shortages of weapons and personnel. Scholz also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before his call with Putin and promised to update Zelensky on the conversation.

Germany is Ukraine’s biggest financial supporter and one of its main suppliers of weapons, after the U.S. However, future U.S. support is uncertain following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, as Trump has criticized the level of aid to Ukraine.

Scholz, facing pressure at home ahead of elections in February 2024, is navigating growing opposition from political groups within Germany who question continued support for Ukraine.