Kremlin Verifies Phone Conversation with Germany's Scholz
The two leaders engaged in a discussion regarding the Ukraine crisis, during which the Russian President stated that the conflict stemmed from aggressive NATO policies. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz engaged in a phone conversation on Friday, marking their first direct interaction in nearly two years. The Kremlin confirmed that the primary focus of their discussion was the ongoing Ukraine crisis.
The Kremlin's statement indicated that the last direct communication between Putin and Scholz occurred in December 2022. The call on Friday, initiated by the German side, involved a "detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine."
During the conversation, Putin expressed to Scholz that the current crisis was "a direct result of NATO’s long-standing aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian bridgehead on Ukrainian territory, while ignoring our country’s interests in the field of security and trampling on the rights of Russian-speaking residents,” according to the Kremlin.
While discussing the possibility of a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict, Putin remarked that Moscow has never declined to pursue peace negotiations with Kiev and remains open to restarting talks, which had previously been halted by the Ukrainian side.
Putin also emphasized that any potential settlements between Moscow and Kiev should consider Russia's security interests, as well as the new territorial realities, and "eliminate the root causes of the conflict."
In addition to the Ukraine situation, the leaders touched upon Russian-German relations, with Putin observing that their "unprecedented degradation" stemmed from "unfriendly policies" enacted by Berlin. He asserted that Moscow has consistently fulfilled its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is prepared for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The conversation also included discussions on tensions in the Middle East and efforts to achieve peaceful resolutions to regional crises, the Kremlin noted. Following their discussion, both leaders agreed to maintain communication.
German officials confirmed the talks, highlighting that Scholz urged Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine and “withdraw his troops.” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit added that the Chancellor “insisted on Russia’s readiness to negotiate with Ukraine in order to achieve a fair and lasting peace” and underscored Berlin’s “unwavering determination” to support Kiev “as long as necessary.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Kremlin's statement indicated that the last direct communication between Putin and Scholz occurred in December 2022. The call on Friday, initiated by the German side, involved a "detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine."
During the conversation, Putin expressed to Scholz that the current crisis was "a direct result of NATO’s long-standing aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian bridgehead on Ukrainian territory, while ignoring our country’s interests in the field of security and trampling on the rights of Russian-speaking residents,” according to the Kremlin.
While discussing the possibility of a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict, Putin remarked that Moscow has never declined to pursue peace negotiations with Kiev and remains open to restarting talks, which had previously been halted by the Ukrainian side.
Putin also emphasized that any potential settlements between Moscow and Kiev should consider Russia's security interests, as well as the new territorial realities, and "eliminate the root causes of the conflict."
In addition to the Ukraine situation, the leaders touched upon Russian-German relations, with Putin observing that their "unprecedented degradation" stemmed from "unfriendly policies" enacted by Berlin. He asserted that Moscow has consistently fulfilled its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is prepared for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The conversation also included discussions on tensions in the Middle East and efforts to achieve peaceful resolutions to regional crises, the Kremlin noted. Following their discussion, both leaders agreed to maintain communication.
German officials confirmed the talks, highlighting that Scholz urged Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine and “withdraw his troops.” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit added that the Chancellor “insisted on Russia’s readiness to negotiate with Ukraine in order to achieve a fair and lasting peace” and underscored Berlin’s “unwavering determination” to support Kiev “as long as necessary.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
