No Contact Since December 2022
Repeatedly Expressed Willingness for Direct Communication
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is reportedly considering a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in about two years, German media reported on the 2nd (local time). The last call between the two leaders was in December 2022.
Scholz has expressed his intention to make direct contact several times, saying the call would be a rare opportunity for President Putin to face reality, according to local media.
During their last call, the two leaders exchanged accusations. At that time, Scholz criticized attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, while President Putin pointed to the West's weapons support policy.
Leaders of Western countries supporting Ukraine with weapons have cut off contact with President Putin as the war has prolonged. However, despite domestic political opposition, Scholz has relatively prioritized preventing escalation, such as by not supporting the Taurus long-range missile with a range of 500 km requested by Ukraine.
In addition to the fatigue from the prolonged war, a subtle tension has developed between Germany and Ukraine as evidence gradually emerged that Ukraine led the Nord Stream gas pipeline sabotage in September 2022, an incident that caused enormous damage. Russia, whose European gas export routes were cut off, has been demanding a swift investigation from the German government day after day.
Some expect the German and Russian leaders to make contact ahead of the upcoming Group of Twenty (G20) summit next month.
Chancellor Scholz and U.S. President Joe Biden will discuss ways to support Ukraine at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting to be held on the 12th at the Ramstein U.S. Air Force Base in Germany. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also expected to attend this meeting.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reportedly told TASS news agency that there was "no" request for a phone call between President Putin and Chancellor Scholz in Germany on that day. He added that since December 2022, President Putin and Scholz have had no private contact.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
