Speaking about the development of the war in Ukraine, Scholz indicated that he was ready to resume negotiations with Putin “shortly.” “Yes, I am going to talk to the Russian president when the time is right,” he said. “But I am a responsible politician, I will not do this alone.” The German Chancellor explained that before negotiations with the Russian President on Ukraine, a number of contacts must be established and negotiations held with “very many” other parties, including Kiev.
When asked by the host of a political talk show when exactly, in his opinion, the “right time” would come for negotiations with Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz answered evasively: “Soon.”
The last telephone conversation between Scholz and Putin took place in December 2022, then the German Chancellor called on the Russian President to withdraw Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine and search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. In June 2024, Scholz made it clear that he was open to talks with Putin in the future, but only if they discussed specific things. In mid-October, Olaf Scholz expressed his readiness to negotiate with Vladimir Putin to end the war “on fair terms.” For its part, the Kremlin said in early October that Putin is open to dialogue even though relations between Moscow and Berlin are practically reduced to zero.