German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week is further evidence that the Russian leader is uninterested in negotiations with Ukraine.
Pistorius on Tuesday defended Scholz’s decision to speak with Putin in an hour-long phone call, which has attracted criticism from Ukraine and some European allies.
But Pistorius also said the call only offered further evidence that Putin has little interest in engaging in negotiations with the West over Ukraine or other issues.
“I think it was not that effective as all of us would have hoped, because Putin reacted more or less at once in between 48 hours with his serious attacks, severe attacks on Ukraine infrastructure. But still, it is important to talk whenever it is possible to talk,” Pistorius said.
“This phone call gave the proof, gave the evidence that Putin is not willing to negotiate about anything. So everybody in Germany or in other countries in Europe should realize, finally, now, this is not the point for talking about peace,” he said. “Because every one of us wants peace, of course, but Putin does not want it – so any phone call gave proof to that.”
Pistorius made his comments while attending a gathering of defence ministers from EU countries in Brussels.
