Scholz Urges Putin to Negotiate Peace in First Call in Two Years

The German Chancellor pressed for a just peace in Ukraine during a one-hour conversation with the Russian President.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first phone call since December 2022, lasting about an hour.
Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and engage in negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
The German leader condemned Russia's ongoing war of aggression and criticized airstrikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Scholz emphasized Germany's steadfast support for Ukraine and warned Putin that time is not on Russia's side.
The call was coordinated with European and G7 partners, occurring after the US elections and before the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil.