According to the German newspaper Zeit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is hoping to have a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in almost two years. The request has not yet been made, but it is planned to happen before the G20 meeting in Brazil in November. It is not clear what Scholz plans to discuss with Putin.
The last time Scholz spoke with Putin was in December 2022, the same year that the leaders of the U.S., France, and the U.K. had direct contact. While Germany was initially hesitant, it has now become Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the U.S. On September 4, Scholz announced that Germany had ordered an additional 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine, with plans to deliver a total of 24 by 2026.
However, as discussions continue among Ukraine’s Western allies about using their weapons to strike deep inside Russia, Scholz maintains that Germany will not grant permission for this. This was reaffirmed during a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Scholz on September 23 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Scholz stated that Germany will not lift any restrictions on using their weapons for long-range strikes in Russia, and this position will not change even if the U.S. lifts their restrictions. He also emphasized that Germany’s focus is on providing support and assistance to Ukraine in ways that are truly helpful and necessary.
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