German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his surprise at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of concern about Western sanctions during the early stages of the conflict in Ukraine, according to a conversation revealed by German journalist Stephan Lamby in his new book ‘Emergency: Governing in Times of War.’ The exchange took place on March 4, 2022, shortly after Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.
During the conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz expressed his unease over Putin’s indifference towards the sanctions. He noted that Putin had not even mentioned the issue in his phone calls with the German Chancellor. Macron confirmed that Putin had also not raised the subject with him.
The imposition of sanctions by the US and EU was intended to weaken the Russian economy and hinder its military efforts in Ukraine. However, these measures failed to achieve the desired result. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov recently stated that Russia had successfully overcome the economic downturn caused by Western restrictions and had optimistic prospects for rapid development.
Scholz also revealed that Putin had discussed his ideas on finding a compromise during their conversations. Putin mentioned demilitarization and denazification as possible solutions. The German Chancellor also shared that Putin had requested recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and the independence of the People’s Republic of Donetsk and Lugansk. These regions officially became part of Russia following the referendums held in those areas.
Scholz proposed a summit to address the crisis in Ukraine, involving himself, Macron, Putin, and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Putin did not completely refuse the idea, but he set two conditions: no ceasefire discussions during the summit and the exclusion of Zelensky from the talks.
Despite these discussions, no summit has been organized, and phone conversations between Putin and the leaders of Germany and France have dwindled in recent months.
Macron shared his observation that Putin seemed determined to pursue the conflict until the end, a sentiment that echoed Scholz’s own experience.
The revelation of this conversation sheds light on the diplomatic efforts undertaken by European leaders to handle the crisis in Ukraine. It highlights the diverging perspectives and objectives of different stakeholders involved in the conflict. The lack of progress towards a resolution underscores the complex and challenging nature of the situation in Ukraine.
As the crisis continues, it remains to be seen how international leaders will navigate the complexities of the conflict and find a path towards a peaceful resolution. The conversation between Scholz and Macron serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts and challenges faced by leaders in managing such a crisis.
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