Zelenskyy talks to Scholz about air defence, peace and his talk with Putin

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during which the chancellor shared details of his telephone conversations with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. 

Zelenskyy said he thanked Scholz for Germany's leadership in supporting Ukraine, especially for strengthening air defence with Patriot and IRIS-T systems.

They also discussed decisive joint steps that could further strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself. 

"Increasing pressure on Russia and strengthening Ukraine’s positions on all fronts are critical to forcing the aggressor to real peace,"  Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X (Twitter).

The head of state said Chancellor Scholz also shared the details of his conversation with Putin. In this regard, Zelenskyy stressed that only the combined power of weapons and diplomacy can force the one responsible for this war to end it. 

"True peace can only be achieved through strength," Zelenskyy added.

On 15 November, it was revealed that Scholz had spoken with Putin for the first time in two years. 

Zelenskyy referred to the call as "a Pandora's box". Recently, Scholz once again defended his controversial conversation with Putin.

Recently, Scholz once again defended his controversial phone call with Putin.