**Germany’s SPD Leader Calls for More Phone Calls Between Scholz and Putin**
Saskia Esken, the leader of Germany’s social-democratic party (SPD), has urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz to have more phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking to German television news channel N-Tv on January 2, she said that these conversations are necessary to find a way to end Russia‘s war against Ukraine.
Esken does not support the idea of a public meeting between Putin and Scholz at this time. “As long as the attitudes remain unchanged, it is certainly sufficient to talk on the phone,” she said.
**Ukraine’s Energy Imports Rise**
Ukraine has seen a significant increase in its electricity imports in 2024. The country imported 4.4 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity last year, which is more than five times what it was in previous years. This rise in gas prices to 51 euros per megawatt-hour is the highest since October 2023.
**Russian Drone Attacks Continue**
Russia launched 72 drones against Ukraine overnight on January 2, including Iranian-designed Shahed ones. The attacks resulted in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian forces also reported a significant number of Russian drone losses, including 35,670 destroyed FPV drones and 1,140 strike drones.
**Married Couple Killed in Drone Strike**
A married couple, Ihor Zyma and Olesia Sokur, were killed in a Russian drone strike on January 1. They worked as scientists with the Institute for Biology and Medicine at the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv.
**Ukraine Denounces Violence**
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions and denounced violence. “Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and we wish a swift recovery to all those injured,” he said.