Scholz Seeks Phone Discussion with Putin

Dec. 3, 2022 (EIRNS)—Russian President Vladimir Putin was on the phone with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Dec. 2, telling him that Germany should change its approach to the Ukraine conflict. Both Berlin and Moscow report that the call was made at the initiative of Scholz.

According to President Putin’s website,

“The discussion focused on various aspects of the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin again explained in detail Russia’s fundamental approaches to the special military operation and pointed out the destructive policy of Western countries, including Germany, pumping the Kiev regime with weapons and training the Ukrainian military. All this, as well as their comprehensive political and financial support for Ukraine, leads Kiev to reject any idea of negotiations. In addition, it encourages radical Ukrainian nationalists to commit more and more bloody crimes against the civilian population.”

Moscow reported that, “The President of Russia called on Germany to reconsider its approaches in the context of the Ukrainian developments.”

Scholz condemned the Russian missile attacks in Ukraine, according to a government spokesman, underscoring Germany’s determination to support Ukraine “in ensuring its defense capability against Russian aggression.” In addition, Scholz urged that a diplomatic solution be reached as soon as possible, including a withdrawal of Russian troops.

Putin said that “the Russian Armed Forces had for a long time refrained from pinpoint missile strikes at certain targets on the territory of Ukraine, but now such measures have become an unavoidable and inevitable response to Kiev’s provocative attacks against Russia’s civilian infrastructure, including the Crimean bridge and energy facilities.”

Putin also insisted, in the words of the Kremlin: “This list of incidents also includes the terrorist attacks against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines. A transparent investigation into the circumstances of those attacks must be conducted and it must include the relevant Russian agencies.”

Putin and Scholz, however, agreed on the importance of the grain deal. “Vladimir Putin and Olaf Scholz also touched upon certain aspects of implementing the July 22 Istanbul package deal on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of food and fertilizer exports from Russia. The parties emphasized the need for bona fide comprehensive implementation of the grain deal, which implies the elimination of all barriers for Russian exports.”

Both leaders stressed the important role of the recently extended grain agreement under the aegis of the United Nations and agreed to remain in contact.