German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to find a diplomatic solution for the conflict in Ukraine based on a cease-fire and the complete withdrawal of Russian troops, the chancellor’s office said on September 13 after the two leaders spoke by phone.
Scholz also emphasized the need to ensure the safety of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine and appealed to Putin to continue to fully implement the United Nations-backed grain agreement, Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, said.
"The Federal Chancellor emphasized that any further Russian annexation steps would not go unanswered and would not be recognized under any circumstances," Hebestreit said a statement, adding that Scholz and Putin agreed to remain in contact.
The 90-minute call was the first between Scholz and Putin in weeks, according to the chancellor's office.