Scholz, Macron urge Putin to hold direct talks with Zelensky

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said, Report informs via TASS.

The telephone conversation lasted 90 minutes and was dedicated to the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

“The Chancellor and the French President called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Russian army. They called on the Russian President to hold direct talks with the Ukrainian leader and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict,” Hebestreit said.

He noted that the talks were initiated by the leaders of Germany and France.