Scholz, Zelenskyy reaffirm Trump’s ‘leadership role’ in Ukraine peace: German spokesman

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German and Ukrainian leaders have reaffirmed US President Donald Trump’s “leadership role” in peace talks in a phone call on Wednesday, according to an official statement from Berlin.

“Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone this morning and discussed the current military and humanitarian situation and ways to achieve a just peace in Ukraine,” a government spokesman said in a statement.

“The Chancellor welcomed the Ukrainian President's willingness to begin negotiations as soon as possible. Both agreed on the importance of the US President's leadership role, also with a view to achieving a rapid start to a ceasefire and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Steffen Hebestreit said.

During the phone call, Scholz expressed his support for a partial truce between Russia and Ukraine covering air, sea, and energy infrastructure attacks, as a first step to allow toward broader diplomatic talks for a more lasting ceasefire, according to the spokesman.

“The Chancellor reaffirmed Germany's ongoing and unwavering solidarity with Ukraine. He assured that Germany would continue to support Ukraine in close coordination with European and international partners until a just, comprehensive and lasting peace is achieved,” Hebestreit said.