Scholz and Putin spoke for the first time in two years

(Patria) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in two years, the German Chancellor's office announced.

"The German Chancellor condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine and demanded that President Putin stop the attacks and withdraw his units," the statement on the phone call between Scholz and Putin said.

It is stated that Scholz insisted during the conversation that Russia show readiness for negotiations with Ukraine with the aim of a just and lasting peace.

At the same time, Scholz emphasized Germany's readiness to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

At the end of the statement, it is added that before the conversation with Putin, the German Chancellor also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and that he will do so again after the conversation with the Russian President.

Scholz informed EU and NATO partners about the conversation.

It is learned from government circles that Scholz also sharply condemned the sending of North Korean units into the war against Ukraine, stating that this represents a strong escalation of the conflict.

Scholz and Putin, as further learned, will continue to stay in contact.

As reported by the media, citing sources in Kyiv, Zelenskyy warned the German Chancellor, before his conversation with Putin, that this conversation could help Putin emerge from international isolation and continue military operations against Ukraine.

"Putin does not want peace, he only wants a pause," Zelenskyy said, agencies report.

The Kremlin announced so far that Russian President Putin and German Chancellor Scholz had an "frank" conversation on Friday, "at the initiative" of Berlin, about the conflict in Ukraine.

"A detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine took place," the Kremlin announced regarding the conversation between the two leaders.