Putin and Scholz hold first phone call in two years – Berlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held their first phone call in nearly two years on Friday. The two leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict and potential peace talks between Moscow and Kiev, according to German media reports, citing a government spokesperson.

Plans for the direct talks were initially reported by German media earlier on Friday, while the Kremlin had only confirmed that Putin was set to hold an international phone call during the day, without providing details.

However, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit has since confirmed to journalists that the conversation did indeed taken place and lasted for nearly an hour.

According to Hebestreit, the German chancellor “insisted on Russia’s readiness to negotiate with Ukraine in order to achieve a fair and lasting peace.” Scholz also spoke of Berlin’s “unwavering determination” to support Kiev “as long as necessary.”

Scholz also urged Putin to end the conflict and “withdraw his troops,” according to the official.

German officials told TASS news agency that the two leaders have agreed to stay in touch. Prior to the phone call, the German chancellor also contacted Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and intends to talk to him again after his conversation with Putin, Hebestreit said.

Friday’s call was the first direct communication between the two leaders in almost two years. According to the Kremlin, the last time Putin and Scholz spoke over the phone was on December 2, 2022.

The Kremlin has yet to comment on the talks.