During his first phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern about the situation at the Ukrainian border and demanded rapid de-escalation in the region amid the possibility of another invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
According to an official statement by the Kremlin, like in his conversation with Macron, Putin told Scholz that the escalating situation at the Ukraine border is due to Kyiv’s refusal to honour the 2015 Minsk agreements. He added that Ukraine’s decision is restricting countries from holding a new Normandy Format summit. The Russian President also discussed the security proposals sent to the United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) regarding Western military activity and NATO expansion towards Russia.
In recent months, Russia has amassed around 175,000 troops at the Ukrainian border. The European Union, the US, and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over Russia’s military build-up and threatened Moscow with punitive measures. In fact, the US and Germany have reportedly reached an agreement over shutting down the Nord Stream 2 if Russia invades Ukraine. However, Russia has denied having any intention of invading Ukraine.
The Kremlin statement said that Putin also congratulated Scholz for his appointment and noted both sides’ interest in deepening ties and developing contacts via different channels. It added that the two leaders are willing to hold discussions on several international and national issues.
Meanwhile, speaking to senior military officials on the same day, Putin accused the West of escalating tensions in Europe. He said Russia would respond adequately to any Western aggression and warned of increasing its military presence. Putin said: “Why did they expand NATO and renounce the missile defence treaties? They are to blame for what is happening now, for the tensions building up in Europe.” He also reiterated his demands for legal guarantees that NATO and its allies would not expand eastwards.
Germany’s Scholz Demands Rapid De-Escalation at Ukraine Border in Call With Russia’s Putin
Like in his conversation with Macron on the same day, Putin told Scholz that the escalating situation at the Ukraine border is due to Kyiv’s refusal to honour the 2015 Minsk agreements.
December 22, 2021
Russian President Vladimir Putin IMAGE SOURCE: THE MOSCOW TIMES