German majority for Scholz to talk to Putin

Published 15 October 2024 at 10.23

Foreign. A new poll shows that a majority of Germans want Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resume direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to end the war in Ukraine.

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According to the Yougov survey, conducted on behalf of the German news agency DPA, 59 percent of respondents support a telephone conversation between the two leaders, while 26 percent oppose the idea and 15 percent are unsure.

Especially strong support for resumed talks can be found in the eastern parts of Germany, where 68 percent are in favor of dialogue with Moscow.

Scholz and Putin have not spoken directly to each other since December 2022, but speculation is circulating about a possible phone call ahead of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next month.

Olaf Scholz has previously expressed his willingness to discuss peace talks with Putin when the time is right, and he has also emphasized the importance of including Russia in future peace conferences. At the same time, a lively debate is taking place in Germany about what a possible peace settlement should look like. According to the survey, 45 percent of those questioned support territorial compromises, while 39 percent oppose Ukraine having to give up land to Russia.