In an interview with public broadcaster ZDF on Wednesday evening, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he would soon travel to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin amid increasing tensions between the West and Moscow over the situation at the Ukrainian border.
“I will now travel to the US, and I will soon be in Moscow to continue speaking about the questions that are necessary,” Scholz said, adding that the trip is planned and would take place soon; however, the dates for his Moscow trip were not revealed.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow soon, Scholz said in an interview with Germany's ZDF on Wednesday, without providing a precise date. (Reuters)
— chris zappone (@chrizap) February 2, 2022
During the interview, Scholz also acknowledged Russia’s military build-up near the Ukrainian border and the possibility of another Russian invasion of Ukraine. “You can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of soldiers and troops on the Ukrainian border. All that could be the precondition for military action,” he said, adding, “That is why it is so important that we are very clear in what we are saying and what we are preparing — namely that endangering the territorial sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, attacking their militarily, could carry a very high price. And I think this message has been understood.”
Scholz is travelling to Washington DC on Sunday and is scheduled to meet the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Monday.
Der Ukraine-Konflikt stellt Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD) vor große Herausforderungen. Im @heutejournal kündigt er ein baldiges Treffen mit dem russischen Präsidenten Putin in Moskau an. pic.twitter.com/42t440jIPD
— ZDFheute (@ZDFheute) February 2, 2022
Scholz’s remarks come after intense national and international backlash over Germany’s dull response to Russia amassing thousands of troops near Ukraine. Earlier, Berlin refused to deliver defensive weapons to Ukraine, blocked shipments of other countries to Ukraine and had displayed reluctance to include Russia’s ambitious Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the potential sanctions package in the event of Russia invading Ukraine.
Recently, the German government said they would include the pipeline under possible punitive sanctions. Russia accounts for at least 40% of the crude oil and 56% of the natural gas imported by Germany. The amount will be increased if Nord Stream 2 becomes operational. Currently, the German energy regulators have temporarily suspended the pipeline’s certification due to non-compliance with German law.
To lay off criticism, Scholz on Wednesday said he has already spoken to Putin on the phone regarding the Ukraine crisis and is coordinating a joint response with other allies, including Biden. When questioned about accusations deeming Germany to be an untrustworthy partner, he said, “Our allies know exactly what they have in us,” highlighting Germany’s high military contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Scholz added, “Germany is the country that has given the biggest aid to Ukraine in the last years, almost €2 billion [$2.26 billion].”
Furthermore, Scholz said his government had adopted a dual strategy towards Russia - warning Moscow of grave consequences if the latter resorted to further aggression against Ukraine while pursuing ways to ensure peaceful development via negotiations.
Germany’s new government, headed by Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), favours negotiations and de-escalation in relations with Russia. In contrast, its coalition partners, the Greens and the Free Democrats, prefer a stricter stance on the Ukraine crisis.