Russian President Vladimir Putin does not realize that the invasion of Ukraine was a mistakesaid the German Chancellor Olaf Scholzafter leaders spoke on the phone Tuesday, the BBC reports.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Scholz said he urged Putin to withdraw his troops and resume talks with Ukraine during the 90-minute phone call.
He called on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. Chancellor is under pressure to increase military support for Kiev.
Scholz said it the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine will be the only way “for peace to have a chance in the region”.
Although Putin “unfortunately” did not change his position about the invasion, Scholz stresses the importance of continuing to talk to him.
“It’s okay to talk to each other and say what needs to be said on this topic, “said Mr. Scholz.
The weapons supplied by Germany to Ukraine were “decisive and influenced” developments in eastern Ukraine, he added.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized Germany for not sending more weapons. On Tuesday he tweeted that Ukraine needed more military support “to free the people and save them from genocide.” “Not a single rational argument that these weapons cannot be delivered, only abstract fears and excuses. What is Berlin afraid of that Kiev is not?” She added.
Commenting on the telephone conversation with Scholz, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of the ongoing violence.
Germany: Scholz talks to Putin about the withdrawal of Russian troops and the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
Kremlin: Putin gives Ukrainian prisoners of war access to the Red Cross, Russia wants to be a reliable energy supplier
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