2024-11-15 15:04:00
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from Ukraine in a telephone call. “The Chancellor urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit after the hour-long conversation.
Scholz also reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary. Scholz spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj on Wednesday. According to Hebestreit, Scholz now wants to call him again afterwards. He last spoke to Putin by telephone on December 2, 2022.
The last time Scholz met Putin in person was a week before the Russian attack on Ukraine, during his inaugural visit to Moscow. Because of Corona, both of them sat at a huge oval table in the Kremlin, meters away from each other. After the invasion there were still individual phone calls, but then they broke off. This mainly had to do with the Russian conduct of the war in Ukraine and the lack of prospects for concrete results.
Scholz had repeatedly said in recent months that he was ready to talk to Putin. He just wants to find the right time. On Sunday, the Chancellor stated on ARD that this point could come “soon”. “Yes, I have decided to speak to the Russian president at the right time. But I am a responsible politician, I will not do it alone.” A conversation with Putin requires a lot of contacts and conversations with many others.
The timing of the conversation is probably related to the upcoming G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which Scholz is heading to on Sunday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected there.
Putin himself canceled his participation in the summit on October 18 in order not to “disrupt the normal work of the forum,” which had other topics. There is an international arrest warrant against Putin from the World Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged war crimes in Ukraine. He would risk arrest in Brazil.
The G20 of the leading economic powers from all continents is the only discussion format in which Russia and the NATO states still sit at the same table at a high level. Scholz is not planning to talk to Lavrov there. According to those close to him, however, he will speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the war in Ukraine, who is considered Putin’s most important ally.
After the USA, Germany is the biggest supporter of the government in Kyiv. However, the German Chancellor regularly emphasizes that further escalation and direct involvement of the West in the war must be prevented. That is why, with a few exceptions, Scholz refuses to allow Ukraine to attack targets on Russian territory with weapons supplied by Germany. The Chancellor also does not want to deliver the Taurus cruise missile with a range of 500 kilometers, despite repeated demands from Ukraine.
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What are the potential consequences if Germany increases its military support for Ukraine?
**Interview with Dr. Anna Meyer, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Meyer. Following the recent telephone conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, what do you think are the implications of Scholz’s call for a Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine?
**Dr. Meyer:** Thank you for having me. Chancellor Scholz’s call for a withdrawal is significant because it represents a continued commitment from Germany to seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. By urging negotiations, Scholz is emphasizing that dialogue is essential for achieving a just and lasting peace. This could be a crucial step in re-establishing a communication channel between Russia and Ukraine.
**Interviewer:** Scholz also reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine. Can you elaborate on what this support might entail moving forward?
**Dr. Meyer:** Certainly. Germany has been a key supporter of Ukraine in various capacities, including military aid, humanitarian assistance, and financial backing. Scholz’s statement indicates that this support will not wane and may even expand, especially as Ukraine continues to face significant challenges. Germany’s position might also influence other allies to maintain or increase their support.
**Interviewer:** Scholz mentioned wanting to find the right time to talk to Putin again. What do you think will dictate that timing?
**Dr. Meyer:** The timing will likely depend on several factors, such as the military situation in Ukraine, internal pressures within Russia, and the broader geopolitical landscape. Scholz has indicated a willingness to engage with Putin, but he’s likely assessing whether conditions are conducive to meaningful dialogue that could lead to progress rather than just more rhetoric.
**Interviewer:** Given the historical context of their interactions, how do you evaluate the chances of reaching a negotiated solution?
**Dr. Meyer:** The history of their interactions suggests a complex and often strained relationship. The last in-person meeting occurred just before the war, and it appears that both leaders have continued to seek their own agendas. However, if both sides can find common ground, such as recognizing mutual interests in stability and security, there may be a path to negotiations. However, trust is a significant barrier that will need to be addressed.
**Interviewer:** what message do you think Chancellor Scholz hopes to send to both Russia and Ukraine with his recent comments?
**Dr. Meyer:** Scholz’s message likely aims to reinforce Germany and the EU’s support for Ukraine, while also encouraging Russia to reconsider its aggressive stance. He’s signaling that dialogue is not off the table, but it requires a change in Russia’s approach. This duality aims to support Ukraine while still holding out hope for a diplomatic resolution, which is a delicate balance to maintain.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Meyer, for your insights on this crucial issue.
**Dr. Meyer:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important discussion that will continue to evolve.
