Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly opposed German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's initiative to hold a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Reuters , citing a source in the Office of the President of Ukraine, Zelensky personally tried to dissuade Scholz from this step, but to no avail.
“The Chancellor has told our President that he plans to talk to Putin. The President said that this will only help Putin by reducing his isolation. Putin does not want real peace, he wants a break. Talking to him will allow Putin to change the situation and continue the war. This will not bring peace, because Putin will simply repeat the lies he has been telling for years, creating the impression that he is no longer isolated,” the source said.
But, as we see, Scholz ignored Zelensky's call and allowed Putin.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin reports that Putin and Scholz agreed that their aides would be in touch after the phone call. The German Cabinet also previously announced continued contacts with the Kremlin.
