The Kremlin welcomes the call from German Chancellor Scholz

The Kremlin has welcomed the recent phone call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Scholz urged Putin to end the war and expressed German support for Ukraine. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the conversation, stating that talks with Putin never lead anywhere, the Kremlin sees this as a positive step towards diplomacy.

The hour-long call marked the first conversation between Scholz and Putin in nearly two years, with the German Chancellor emphasizing the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. Scholz’s willingness to engage with Putin has been met with approval from the Kremlin, as it signals a potential shift towards dialogue and cooperation.

DW’s Russia analyst Konstantin Eggert provides insight into the implications of this call, while correspondents in Kyiv and Wiesbaden offer on-the-ground perspectives. The differing reactions to the phone call highlight the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the role of key international players like Germany.

As tensions in the region continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how diplomatic efforts such as this phone call will impact the situation on the ground. Ultimately, the response from the Kremlin indicates a willingness to engage with the international community, despite the skepticism from Ukrainian officials.