Official NATO statements or press releases

Scholz Urges Putin to End Ukraine War in First Call in Two Years; Zelensky Warns of 'Pandora's Box'

Nov 15, 2024, 04:54 PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, November 15, marking their first direct communication in almost two years. The call, which lasted about an hour and was initiated by the German side, came after Scholz informed U.S. President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of his plans. Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request that Scholz not call Putin, the German Chancellor proceeded, emphasizing Germany's long-term support for Ukraine. Scholz urged Putin to end the war, withdraw Russian troops, and engage in negotiations with Kyiv to achieve a just and lasting peace. The German government stressed that Scholz condemned Russia's aggression and reaffirmed continued support for Ukraine. The Kremlin confirmed the conversation, noting that Putin reiterated Russia's openness to negotiations but insisted that any agreement must acknowledge the "new territorial realities" and blamed the conflict on NATO's aggressive policies. Zelensky criticized the call, calling it a "Pandora's box" that could weaken Russia's isolation and prolong the conflict, emphasizing that there would be no "Minsk-3" agreement. After the call with Putin, Scholz planned to speak with Zelensky.