Zelensky not happy with Putin-Scholz phonecall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Zelensky, the conversation undermines attempts to isolate Putin internationally. Scholz stressed during the conversation that Russia should withdraw its troops and stop the invasion. Putin responded by referring to the territories occupied by Russia and stressed that a peace agreement must take these ‘new territorial realities into account’.
Despite this criticism, Zelensky expressed optimism about possible developments in the relationship with the US, specifically with President-elect Donald Trump. Zelensky said he did not hear from Trump any views that go against Ukrainian policy and expects the war could end faster with Trump in power. However, he stressed that a ‘fair peace’ without territorial concessions remains essential for Ukraine.
(PP/Source: DM, Agencies/Illustration picture: picture alliance / Russian Look | Kremlin Pool)