Scholz attempted to thwart Trump's efforts to end the war, leading Duda to accuse the German Chancellor.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his phone call to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, attempted to undermine Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine. This accusation was made by Polish President Andrzej Duda. According to him, Scholz aimed to exclude Trump from the negotiation process and take matters into his own hands.

The Polish leader made these comments to Bloomberg. He stated that Scholz is worried that he will be pushed into unfavorable agreements with Washington following Trump's inauguration, and is trying to preempt this.

“I believe this was an attempt to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office,” emphasized Duda.

He also criticized the German Chancellor's decision to invite U.S. President Joe Biden to talks about Ukraine's future with the leaders of France and the United Kingdom, which took place in Berlin in October this year. The Polish President expressed his shock that there was no place for Volodymyr Zelensky at this negotiation table.

At the same time, Duda shared that Scholz is concerned about being pushed into unfavorable deals with Washington after Trump takes office. Therefore, the German Chancellor is trying to stay ahead of this.

“The Germans are most afraid that Donald Trump will force them to buy gas from America,” added the Polish leader.

Content of Scholz's Call to Putin

The conversation between the German Chancellor and the Russian President took place on November 15. Scholz condemned Russia's war against Ukraine, called for negotiations, and an end to the aggression. He also stressed that Germany's support for Ukraine will be long-lasting, and that the Kremlin's attempts to "buy time" are doomed to fail.

The Kremlin described the conversation in its report as an "open exchange of views" and reiterated that the cessation of war is only possible with consideration of Russia's interests and the "new territorial realities." Following this, the President of Ukraine sharply criticized the call, labeling it a dangerous "Pandora's box." He warned that such contacts only diminish Russia's international isolation and do not contribute to real peace.

"There will be no Minsk-3," emphasized Zelensky, noting that previous similar strategies only facilitated further aggression from Moscow. Ukraine needs not conditional agreements, but just and real peace. The President also highlighted that Ukrainian brigades are awaiting the necessary weapons, which is why the fighting in the East continues under difficult conditions.