Scholz's call to Putin: A diplomatic risk warns Zelensky
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's call to Vladimir Putin opened a Pandora's box, Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily address to Ukrainians. "And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time," he stated.
"Chancellor Scholz told me that he is going to call Putin. Olaf's call, in my opinion, is Pandora's box. Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words," declared the Ukrainian President in his daily speech to his compatriots on Friday evening Eastern Time.
"And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: it is crucial for him to weaken his isolation. Russia's isolation. And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing. As he has been doing for decades. This allowed Russia to change nothing in its policy, to do nothing substantial, and ultimately it led to this war," he added.
Zelensky assured that Ukraine understands these challenges and knows how to act. "And we want to warn you: There will be no "Minsk-3" - we need real peace," he emphasized.
Scholz - Putin talks: first in almost two years
On Friday, for the first time in nearly two years, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Vladimir Putin. The last time the two politicians spoke was in December 2022. The German government spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, conveyed this information.
Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated that in the conversation with Putin, Scholz insisted that Russia be ready for talks with Ukraine to negotiate a lasting, just peace.
Hebestreit emphasized that Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday and plans to contact him again after the conversation with Putin.
