German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Berlin wants to explore ways to end the conflict in Ukraine. He added that he was ready to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, AFP reported.
"Along with clear support for Ukraine, it is time to do everything we can to explore how we can get to a situation where this war does not continue indefinitely," Scholz told the German parliament. He explained that he was open to talks involving Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"When we are asked, 'Will we also talk to the Russian president,' we say, 'Yes, that's right,'" the chancellor said.
However, he added that "decisions will never be taken over the heads of Ukraine and without the consent of our close partners."
Germany is Ukraine's second biggest military backer after the United States.
Scholz's comments came on the same day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky unveiled his long-awaited victory plan to end Russia's invasion. Zelensky rejected any territorial concessions and demanded increased support from the West. | BGNES
