German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the plans for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the designated US President Donald Trump, stating that this could contribute to the solution of the Ukraine conflict. In an ARD interview, Scholz expressed that a meeting between Trump and Putin could potentially initiate “negotiations” over the Ukraine conflict and ultimately “end the killing”.
Scholz emphasized that it is essential to first clarify with Putin that Germany will continue to support Ukraine, as it is the largest supporter of Ukraine in Europe. He also stressed that the killing must stop.
Trump had previously announced that a meeting with Putin was in preparation, likely to take place after his official inauguration on January 20. Moscow confirmed that both Putin and Trump have expressed their willingness to communicate. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitri Peskow, however, stated that there are no concrete details yet on when and where the meeting will take place.
Scholz further elaborated in the ARD interview, stating that they need to find a way to end the war, but not a “dictate peace” that is imposed over the heads of Ukrainians.
In a previous week, Kremlin Spokesman Peskow stated that President Putin has repeatedly declared his openness to contacts with international leaders, including the US President and particularly Donald Trump, without any preconditions. What is needed is the mutual willingness and the political will to engage in a dialogue to resolve the existing problems through dialogue.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine “within 24 hours”, without providing concrete details on how he plans to do so. This week, the designated President now admitted that he would need “up to six months” after his inauguration to achieve an agreement between Moscow and Kiev.
In recent weeks, there were rumors that Scholz was seeking a meeting with the Russian President; however, Moscow stated that there are no plans yet. At the beginning of the month, the German Chancellor also denied the rumors, stating that he would continue to maintain contact with the Russian President, but not a meeting. Scholz emphasized that he will continue to talk to the Russian President, as he already has, and that it is not a bad news that the Russian and US Presidents want to meet.
In an earlier posting, CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter warned of a supposed “election surprise” of the Chancellor, who, according to his information, planned a visit to Moscow soon (RT DE reported). Scholz immediately expressed outrage, denying the claim as false. “This is not something you can do. It is utterly unbecoming”, Scholz told journalists in Berlin.
The German government spokesperson, Steffen Hebestreit, described the allegations as “freely invented and malicious” and threatened legal action. There are no considerations for such a trip, and it would not make any sense, according to the Chancellor’s office.
After the strong criticism from the SPD, Kiesewetter deleted his posting without providing further explanation.