Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday for his telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in mid-November.
Zelensky, speaking at a joint press conference with the German leader in Kiev, said he fears Scholz’s phone call with Putin – the first in nearly two years – could lead to a breakdown of the Kremlin’s international isolation and an easing of the diplomatic pressure on the Russian leader.
“I think that after the first conversation comes the second, third, fifth conversation, because every state leader wants to take the lead,” said Zelensky.
“I don’t think this strengthens Ukraine,” he said.
At the same time, however, Zelensky emphasized that Kiev had more in common with Berlin than what may divide them.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) hold a joint press conference following their meeting. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
