Scholz's call to Putin risks opening diplomatic Pandora's Box
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's call to Vladimir Putin opens Pandora's box, and other politicians will follow with calls, Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily address to Ukrainians. "And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time," he stated.
9:02 PM EST, November 15, 2024
"Chancellor Scholz told me that he is going to call Putin. Olaf's call, in my opinion, is Pandora's box. Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words," declared the Ukrainian Prime Minister in his daily speech to his compatriots on Friday evening Eastern Time.
"And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time: it is crucial for him to weaken his isolation. Russia's isolation. And to engage in negotiations, ordinary negotiations, that will lead to nothing. As he has been doing for decades. This allowed Russia to change nothing in its policy, to do nothing substantial, and ultimately it led to this war," he added.
Zelensky assured that Ukraine understands these challenges and knows how to act. "Apparently, one cannot trust Russia’s words, and there will be no Minsk 3," he emphasized.
Scholz - Putin talks: first in almost two years
On Friday, for the first time in nearly two years, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Vladimir Putin. The last time the two politicians spoke was in December 2022. The German government spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, conveyed this information.
The government spokesperson in Berlin, Steffen Hebestreit, stated that in the conversation with Putin, Scholz insisted that Russia be ready for talks with Ukraine to negotiate a lasting, just peace.
Hebestreit emphasized that Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday and planned to contact him again after talking with Putin.
