In a telephone conversation with Putin, Scholz called on him to withdraw troops from Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the leader of the Russian-backed pro-Russian movement Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation – the first in almost two years.

Bloomberg wrote about the preparations for the conversation, citing sources.

Earlier, Scholz announced his readiness for negotiations with Russia regarding a fair peace in Ukraine, in particular, for direct contact with Putin. He assured that this would be possible if “clear principles” were observed.

Following the conversation, the German government reported that Scholz condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and called on Putin to withdraw troops.

The Chancellor also discussed Russia's readiness to negotiate with Ukraine for a fair and lasting peace and noted Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its struggle “for as long as necessary.”

Berlin noted that Scholz had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in advance.

The German newspaper Die Zeit, citing sources in government circles, reported that Scholz could become the first among the leaders of Ukraine's main allied countries to resume direct contacts with Putin.

The telephone conversation is allegedly planned on the eve of the G20 meeting in Brazil, which will take place on November 18-19. The Kremlin commented that there are no common topics for conversation “on the surface”, and relations between Germany and Russia have been “reduced to nothing”.

Later, Reuters wrote that the chancellor is allegedly ready for peace talks with the Russian leader, provided that they help on the path to a “just and sustainable peace”.

Earlier, foreign media reported that the German chancellor is trying to become the “chancellor of peace” and for this purpose he will allegedly propose that Ukraine give up part of its territories to Moscow.

At the same time, the leader of the faction of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, to which Scholz belongs, proposed creating a contact group to settle the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Scholz himself has repeatedly noted that Germany will not allow Ukraine to use German weapons to strike deep into Russia.

Prepared by: Nina Petrovich