Scholz remains hopeful for peace in Ukraine, criticizes Putin's tactics

The war in Ukraine has now crossed the two-year mark, and the prospects of it coming to an end appear slim. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz maintains a hopeful stance, believing that "peace in Ukraine is possible at any moment".

In a dialogue with "Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung", Scholz shared insights from his recent communication with Putin. "Our last phone call was in December 2022. Before that, we had more frequent conversations. A few days before the conflict erupted, we had a lengthy in-person discussion in Moscow," Scholz recalled. He mentioned that during this encounter, they sat at a considerable distance across a long table, a precaution Putin insisted on due to his concern about the coronavirus.

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The interview also touched upon attempts at initiating negotiations to halt the conflict in Ukraine. "Initiatives for mediation have always been present. In fact, Russia and Ukraine engaged in direct negotiations shortly after the war commenced. Unfortunately, those discussions failed as Russia merely used them to distract and redeploy its troops eastward for a major offensive," Scholz explained. He added, "The emergence of massacres in Bucha and Irpin, showcasing egregious human rights violations by Russian forces against civilians, rendered further talks meaningless."

Despite previous setbacks, Scholz highlighted some successful negotiations, including the grain agreement with Russia, although Putin eventually withdrew from it. Discussions also covered security at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and prisoner exchanges. "Several countries, including Ukraine, are now exploring what could potentially initiate a peace process at the security advisors' level," the chancellor disclosed, emphasizing, "But to be clear: peace is achievable instantly. All it requires is for Putin to end his cruel campaign and pull back his troops."

Scholz further detailed his stance against supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles. "As the chancellor, I am accountable for decisions on war, peace, and Europe's security. This includes the Taurus issue. We are committed to supporting Ukraine, yet it is critical to avoid escalating the conflict into a war between Russia and NATO. Nor will we deploy German troops to Ukraine. Each weapon delivery is meticulously evaluated in this light, which has shaped my decisions," he stated.

Furthermore, Scholz stressed that Germany's support for Ukraine, through arms and ammunition provision, exceeds that of any other European nation. "We have allocated over €28 billion to this cause, surpassing the contributions of many countries combined. We will continue our support for as long as necessary, demonstrating to Putin that his hopes for diminished international aid are in vain," Scholz affirmed.

Source: maz-online.de