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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years.
In the call, Scholz “condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and called on President Putin to end it and withdraw troops”, the chancellor’s spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.
The German leader “urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace”, Hebestreit added in a statement.
Scholz also stressed “Germany’s unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary”.
The call comes at a crucial juncture in the war. Ukrainian troops are coming under pressure and the election of Donald Trump in the United States has cast doubt over Washington’s continued support for Kyiv.
The Kremlin said Putin had a “detailed and frank exchange of views over the situation in Ukraine” with Scholz, with the call initiated by the German side.