World / Kremlin: Scholz could learn something by talking to Putin

A phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the war in Ukraine is unlikely to happen but would be welcome, the Kremlin said Thursday.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told state television that such a conversation would allow Berlin "at least for a moment, to avoid the obstacles that affect the assessment of the situation with prudence."

But Peskov said that such a conversation is not being discussed.

He said that Scholz's statements about any possible telephone conversation "were certainly hypothetical".

"It is normal for leaders to talk to each other, even in the most difficult times," Peskov said, adding that "it would not be bad if a debate were held so that they could hear our position first hand".

Relations between Berlin and Moscow have deteriorated since Russia launched its war against Ukraine in February last year.

Germany supports Ukraine in defense and demands the withdrawal of all Russian military troops from neighboring Ukraine.

Scholz declared at the end of May that he wants to restore contacts with Putin.

"The last telephone conversation took place some time ago. But I intend to talk with Putin again", he said to a German newspaper.

However, he did not specify the date when something like this could happen.

President Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes.