Scholz Confronts Putin Over Ukraine in Hour-Long Call, First Since 2022

Nov 15, 2024, 02:24 PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Friday afternoon, marking their first direct communication since December 2022. The conversation lasted approximately an hour, during which Scholz condemned Russia's aggression in Ukraine, urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops, and confronted him about the reported deployment of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine, labeling it a serious escalation. The German government confirmed the call, emphasizing Scholz's unwavering support for Ukraine. Scholz plans to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his conversation with Putin.