FRANKFURT: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday called for a renewed and intensified focus on diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine “more quickly”, as the conflict enters its third year.
Scholz’s appeal comes amidst mounting domestic pressure and visible public fatigue over Germany’s role in the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In an annual summer interview with public broadcaster ZDF on Sunday, Scholz emphasized the urgent need to accelerate peace talks. “I believe that now is the time to discuss how we can get out of this war situation and achieve peace more quickly,” Scholz stated.
The call for increased diplomatic engagement coincides with significant political shifts within Germany. In recent regional elections, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the far-left Left Party (BSW) made substantial gains, both parties advocating for an end to weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Scholz’s coalition parties, which have supported continued military aid to Kyiv, faced a setback in these elections.
Germany, the second largest donor of aid to Ukraine after the United States, has consistently pledged to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes.” Scholz reiterated this commitment but also stressed the importance of involving Russia in future peace negotiations.
“It’s important that we make progress,” Scholz said, advocating for Russia’s inclusion in the next international peace summit.
The first peace summit, held in Switzerland in June and organized by Ukraine, did not include Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a subsequent summit this year should involve Russia to achieve “meaningful results.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had previously dismissed the idea of negotiations while Ukraine’s counter-offensive was underway, has recently expressed a readiness to engage in talks. However, the Kremlin’s insistence on conditions that would require Ukraine to cede territory remains a major obstacle to peace.
