In phone call with Putin, Germany’s Scholz calls for cease-fire in Ukraine

BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease military operations and withdraw troops from Ukraine in a lengthy phone call on Tuesday.

“Given the seriousness of the military situation and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the chancellor urged the Russian President to take steps to find a diplomatic solution as soon as possible,” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement.

During the 90-minute phone call, Scholz underlined the need for an immediate cease-fire, demanded a complete withdrawal of Russian troops, and urged respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, according to the statement.

“The chancellor emphasized that any further Russian move towards annexation (of Ukrainian territories) would not go unanswered and would not be recognized under any circumstances,” Hebestreit said.

The leaders also had discussions on the situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the agreement on Ukrainian grain exports.

“The chancellor and the Russian president agreed to remain in contact,” the spokesman said.