German Chancellor Scholz Urges Putin to Begin Talks on a ‘Just and Lasting’ Peace with Ukraine in First Phone Call in 2 Years

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone for about an hour on Friday, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin, DW reports.

Scholz reportedly urged Putin to start negotiations on a ‘just and lasting’ peace with Ukraine.

The spokesperson also noted that Scholz had previously spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the chancellor stressed that Germany would support Ukraine as long as necessary.

Insiders in Scholz's government released an unofficial summary of the call to various outlets, including DW, providing more details.

They noted that Scholz condemned the war of aggression against Ukraine, ‘which has been bringing death, suffering and destruction to Ukraine for more than 1,000 days’.

‘The chancellor particularly condemned Russian air attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine,’ they said.

Scholz also criticised the potential deployment of North Korean troops in the conflict as a ‘serious escalation’.

The German leader called on Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and ‘demanded that Russia be ready for serious negotiations with Ukraine for a just and lasting peace’.

The chancellor, whose time in office may now be limited after last week's events in Berlin, was also said to have ‘underlined Germany's unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defensive battle for as long as necessary’.

He told Putin that as a result, the Russian leader cannot assume that time is on his side.

According to insiders, the two leaders agreed to continue contact on this issue. The Berlin government also informed NATO allies of the details.

The EU and NATO reaffirm their continued support for Ukraine.