**German Chancellor Ready to Talk with Putin Again**
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is willing to have another conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report in the German newspaper Die Zeit. However, he warned that there should be no illusions about such talks.
In November, Scholz had criticized Russia’s war against Ukraine and called on Putin to end the invasion and withdraw Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. His previous phone call with Putin was met with criticism from Western allies and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
**Hungary’s Orban Also Talks with Putin**
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also spoken with Putin recently. This conversation was similarly criticized by Zelensky. Hungary is seen as one of the most Kremlin-friendly countries in Europe.
**Scholz Visits Kyiv and Pledges Support**
Just before his statement about talking to Putin again, Scholz visited Ukraine for the first time in two and a half years. During this visit, he pledged $680 million in military support to Ukraine.
**Oil Deal Between Russia and India**
A major oil deal between Russia’s Rosneft and India’s Reliance Industries has been finalized. The companies will supply 500,000 barrels of oil daily for the next 10 years.
**No Peacekeeping Mission Planned**
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that there are no plans for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine at this time.
**Western Criticism and Russian Reactions**
Ukrainian authorities have criticized both Scholz’s previous conversation with Putin and Orban’s recent call. Meanwhile, Russian officials have reacted to Western criticism by claiming that Russians may be “hunted” when traveling abroad.
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