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Scholz Calls Putin; Zelenskyy Says It Opened A ‘Pandora’s Box’

President Zelenskyy expressed concern that the call would weaken efforts to isolate Putin, describing it as “pandora’s box” and warning that it could lead to more conversations that might undermine Ukraine’s position.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first conversation in nearly two years on Friday, marking a significant diplomatic exchange amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.

Scholz, facing a snap election in Germany in February following the collapse of his coalition, urged Putin to engage in talks with Ukraine aimed at achieving a “just and lasting peace.”

According to Al Jazeera, a German spokesperson stated that Scholz reiterated Germany’s continued support for Ukraine “for as long as necessary,” condemned Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure, and warned that the presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia to assist in defending the Kursk region would escalate the conflict.

In response, Putin characterized the crisis as a direct result of NATO’s “aggressive” policies and emphasized that any potential agreements must take into account Russia’s security interests and territorial claims and address the root causes of the war, as reported by Al Jazeera.

“Possible agreements must take into account the interests of the Russian Federation in the area of security, proceed from new territorial realities, and most importantly, eliminate the root causes of the conflict,” the Russian leader said, Al Jazeera reported.

Putin also discussed the potential for “mutually beneficial cooperation” with Germany, particularly regarding energy trade, if Berlin shared that perspective.

Following the call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that the call would weaken efforts to isolate Putin, describing it as “pandora’s box” and warning that it could lead to more conversations that might undermine Ukraine’s position.

“Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words. And this is exactly what Putin has long wanted: it is extremely important for him to weaken his isolation,” Zelenskyy said.

The call occurred during a critical period for Ukraine, with Russian forces making advances in eastern regions. Additionally, the re-election of Donald Trump in the US has raised concerns about the future of American support for Ukraine.

The timing of the call is seen as closely tied to the political shifts in both the US and Germany, as Trump’s return to the White House could alter US policy toward the war, while German domestic opinion, particularly in the East, increasingly calls for an end to military support for Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.

The phone call also took place as Russian force continue to make incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, with ongoing airstrikes targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. (ANI)

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PM Modi receives Olaf Scholz in New Delhi

Chancellor Scholz was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan, reports Asian Lite News

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz today arrived in New Delhi for a visit to India from February 25-26.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Scholz for a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Both leaders will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.

PM Modi and Scholz will also interact with CEOs and business leaders of both sides. Scholz will also meet President Droupadi Murmu.

Scholz is accompanied by senior officials and a high-powered business delegation, and his visit to India is the first standalone one by any German Chancellor since the commencement of the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) mechanism between the two nations in 2011, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.

He will proceed to Bengaluru on February 26, according to the MEA press release.

Scholz’s visit will enable both nations to take stock and progress on the key outcomes of the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC), strengthen security and defence cooperation, work towards closer economic ties, enhance the opportunity for the mobility of talent and give strategic guidance to ongoing collaboration in Science and Technology.

The MEA in the press release noted, “The India-Germany Strategic Partnership is underpinned by shared values, trust and mutual understanding. Robust investment and trade linkages, cooperation in the areas of green and sustainable development and growing people-to-people ties have strengthened bilateral relations.”

The MEA further stated that both nations also work closely at multilateral and international platforms, notably as part of the G4 for United Nations Security Council reforms.

India and Germany share a strong economic partnership. Germany is India’s largest trade partner in the European Union and has consistently been among India’s top 10 global trade partners. It is also one of the largest foreign direct investors in India.

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Putin warns Germany, France against pumping Ukraine with weapons

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his European colleagues that pumping Ukraine with Western weapons carries the risks of destabilization, reports Asian Lite News

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a conversation with French and German leaders Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, pointed out the danger of pumping Ukraine with Western weapons. He warned European colleagues that this carries the risks of destabilization.

“The Russian President also sharpened the issue of the dangerous nature of the ongoing pumping of Ukraine with Western weapons, warning in this regard of the risks of further destabilization of the situation and aggravation of the humanitarian crisis,” the Kremlin’s press service said, RT reported.

Putin also announced Moscow’s readiness to facilitate the search for options for the unhindered export of grain.

It is noted that the Russian leader explained the reasons for the difficulties with food supplies, which were the result of the erroneous economic policy of Western countries.

“For its part, Russia is ready to help find options for the unhindered export of grain, including the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports,” the Kremlin said.

Earlier, Putin, in a conversation with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, noted that Russia is ready to help overcome the food crisis through the export of grain and fertilizers, but for this it is necessary to remove politically motivated restrictions imposed by Western countries.

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