- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
- Putin said after the meeting that he was ready to continue negotiations with the West about security guarantees for his country.
- Scholz pointed out the “difficult situation” for peace and security in Europe. However, he is confident of finding a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict.
During his first detailed talks with the Russian President, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Putin to conduct an extensive dialogue about the Ukraine conflict. “Let’s continue to discuss these things through dialogue. We must not end up in a dead end, »said Scholz in Moscow.
It is our duty to prevent a war escalating in Europe.
As difficult and serious as the situation may seem, he refuses to describe it as hopeless. All Europeans and NATO are aware that sustainable security cannot be achieved against Russia, but only with Russia, emphasized Scholz.
He went on to say: “It is our duty and task, as heads of state and government, to prevent an escalation of war in Europe.”
Legend:
Due to the corona, Putin and Scholz talked on Tuesday at a table about six meters long in the Kremlin.
Reuters
The German chancellor reiterated that he sees no reasonable reason for Russian troops to be deployed on the Ukrainian border. That is why de-escalation is now required.
Scholz welcomed reports of a first troop withdrawal. “Our two countries are historically and culturally closely intertwined,” Scholz continued. There are diverse relationships and great potential for economic relations.
We don’t want war in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, said at the joint press conference with Scholz: “We don’t want a war in Europe.” That is the reason why his country is demanding security guarantees from the West. So far, however, there has been no satisfactory answer to his country’s demands.
Importance of Nord Stream 2
Putin also emphasized the importance of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline. The infrastructure project will strengthen energy security in Europe.
At the same time, Putin showed his willingness to continue using Ukraine as a transit country for gas deliveries to Europe beyond 2024 – should there be a need for it in the West.