Negotiations between Germany and Russia are possible but only after Moscow gives up on its goals in the Ukraine conflict, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday. The German leader told the newspaper TAZ that he would only talk with President Vladimir Putin if Russia “abandoned” its campaign.
When Russia started its military operation against Kiev in February 2022, it cited the need to protect the people of Donbass, eradicate Nazi ideology in Ukraine, and prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
On Saturday, Scholz reiterated his pledge to “support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary.” When asked about when he thinks the conflict could end, the chancellor replied that “nobody can answer this question.”