Scholz defends call with Putin amidst criticism and concerns
Olaf Scholz is responding to a series of critical evaluations following his phone call with Vladimir Putin. He asserts that no decisions regarding Ukraine would have been made without Kyiv's involvement.
9:12 AM EST, November 17, 2024
"Ukraine can count on us" is the principle that prevails and "no decision will be taken behind Ukraine’s back," said Scholz on Sunday in Berlin, just before departing for the G20 summit in Brazil, as quoted by AFP.
Scholz stated that it was worthwhile to talk to Putin to dispel his illusions that the West intends to withdraw support for Ukraine, wrote Reuters.
Scholz provides details of the conversation with Putin
He also remarked, in reference to Donald Trump's impending return to the office of the President of the USA, that it would not be good if Washington were in regular contact with Putin while no European leader was.
"The conversation was very detailed but contributed to a recognition that little has changed in the Russian President's views of the war - and that's not good news," said Scholz.
The German Chancellor has faced heavy criticism since his conversation with the Russian leader.
Both the internal opposition and the German press were also critical. Leading opposition CDU politician Juergen Hardt stated that Putin "understands the fact that Scholz called him as a sign of weakness rather than strength." Meanwhile, Zelensky described the phone call to Putin as opening "Pandora's box."
