After weeks of radio silence: Scholz speaks to Putin and calls for a solution to the war

Created: 09/13/2022, 18:59

By: Nail Akkoyun

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is demanding a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war from Vladimir Putin.

(Archive photo) © Bernd Elmenthaler/Imago

Many weeks have passed since Olaf Scholz last spoke to Vladimir Putin.

Now the chancellor is making demands.

Berlin/Moscow – After several months, Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin again for the first time.

In the 90-minute conversation on Tuesday (September 13), Scholz insisted that a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine war be found as soon as possible, based on a ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

"The Chancellor emphasized that any further Russian annexation steps would not go unanswered and would not be recognized under any circumstances," Hebestreit continued.

Initially, there was no information about the phone call from Moscow.

According to a government spokesman, Scholz last spoke to Putin on the phone at the end of May.

At that time, Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke together with the Russian President.

Ukraine war: Scholz points out to Putin the recommended measures for the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant

Since the phone call in May there have been further dramatic developments in the war zone.

According to the federal government, the conversation on Tuesday also dealt with the situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

Scholz emphasized the need to ensure the safety of the nuclear power plant occupied by Russian forces.

Hebestreit announced that he had also called for any escalation steps to be avoided and for the measures recommended in the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency to be implemented immediately.

Another topic was the global food situation, which is particularly tense as a result of the Russian war of aggression.

Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

Since then, the country has been defending itself against the attackers, also with support from the West.

In the past few days, Ukrainian troops have managed to regain large areas.

(nak/dpa)