German initiative
The telephone conversation between Putin and Scholz took place at the initiative of the German side, reported on the Kremlin website. It is specified that the heads of state discussed “various aspects” of the situation around Ukraine.
“Vladimir Putin again explained in detail the fundamental Russian approaches to conducting a special military operation. Attention was drawn to the destructive line of the Western states, including Germany, pumping up the Kyiv regime with weapons and training the Ukrainian military,” the message says. comprehensive political and financial support for Ukraine leads to the fact that Kyiv completely rejects the idea of any negotiations.” Moscow also believes that the West’s position “incentivizes radical Ukrainian nationalists” to “commit new bloody crimes against civilians.” Kremlin.
“It was noted that the Russian Armed Forces had long refrained from targeted missile strikes against certain targets in Ukraine, but now such measures have become a forced and inevitable response to Kyiv’s provocative attacks against civilian infrastructure Russia, including the Crimean bridge and energy facilities,” the press service of the Russian leader emphasized.
Putin also reminded Scholz of the “terrorist act against the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.” The President of the Russian Federation is sure that the circumstances of the incident should be investigated with the participation of Russian specialized structures.
“Issues of the implementation of the Istanbul“ package ”accords of July 22 on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and unblocking the export of food and fertilizers were also touched upon. from Russia,” according to the Kremlin’s website.
It is specified that Putin focused the interlocutor’s attention on the “need for a conscientious comprehensive implementation of the“ grain deal ”, which implies the elimination of all barriers for Russian supplies as well.”
German version
The official representative of the German Cabinet, Steffen Hebestreit, in turn, said reporters that Olaf Scholz spoke with Vladimir Putin on Friday morning.
“The hour-long conversation was devoted to Russia‘s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its consequences,” Hebeshtreit said.
According to him, the chancellor “condemned” Russian airstrikes on citizens Ukraine’s infrastructure and “emphasized Germany’s determination to support Ukraine in ensuring its defense capabilities” against the actions of the Russian Federation.
“The Chancellor called on the President of Russia to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible, including the withdrawal of Russian troops,” the official said German Cabinet.
Hebeshtreit concluded that the parties agreed to maintain contacts.
Return to peace with Russia
The day before, the British newspaper The Times reported that Scholz said during a roundtable at the Berlin Security Conference that he hoped for a return to the “pre-war peace order” with Russia.
“We must return to the agreements that served as the basis for peace and security in Europe. <...> We can return to the peaceful order that worked and make it safe again if Moscow is also ready for this, ”the German Chancellor said.
At the same time, he clarified that the improvement of relations is possible if only “Putin is ready to abandon aggression against his neighbors.”
The authors of the material believe that Scholz made “the most frank statement to date” about plans for organizing the future world order.
The German leader also announced Berlin’s “readiness” for dialogue with the Kremlin on arms control and missile deployment. The article says that the chancellor’s position is very different from the opinion of “Putin’s most assertive opponents among NATO members” – Poland and the Baltic countries.