The Western nations should never walk out of talks with Moscow, regardless of how big the “differences” between the two sides are, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Germany’s SZ newspaper in an interview published on Friday. Dropping out of any talks with Moscow would only make the task of ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine harder, the chancellor believes.
“What is important is that, despite major differences in [our] positions, we do not let the thread of talks with Russia be broken,” Scholz said, adding that “if we do not talk, Russia would be even less likely to end the war.”
The chancellor still blames Moscow for its ongoing conflict with Kiev and maintains it is Russia that should be proactive in halting military action. Yet, the chancellor also advocates a negotiated solution rather than a military one. “For this, it will be necessary to talk,” he told SZ.
When asked about when there could be a “window for negotiations,” Scholz said that “the time has actually long since come.” The chancellor also expressed his hope that “once this war is over and we are dealing with a different Russia … capable of making peace, we may be able to live together again.” He did not elaborate on what he meant by “a different Russia.”