Olaf Scholz. Photo: Kay Nietfield / AFP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed hope that a common strategy will be reached with US President-elect Donald Trump on the future of the conflict in Ukraine. He said this in an interview for the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe group, which was published on Saturday, dpa reports .
Scholz shared that he had held detailed telephone conversations with Trump and had direct contacts with members of his security team. The chancellor expressed confidence in developing a common approach to support Ukraine, which Trump is expected to lead on 20 January after defeating Kamala Harris in the November presidential election.
Impossibility of compromise with the territories of Ukraine
Asked whether Ukraine should agree to concessions in exchange for peace, Scholz stressed that “nothing should be decided without the consent of the Ukrainians”.
The Chancellor stressed that Germany remains the biggest supporter of Ukraine in Europe and intends to remain so until the end. He stressed the importance of ending the horrors of war and ensuring Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
Scholz and Trump: discussions in Paris
Scholz recently visited Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was his second trip to Ukraine since the start of Russian aggression in February 2022.
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday, during ceremonies marking the opening of Notre Dame Cathedral. After this meeting, Macron will hold talks with Zelenskyy.
During the US election campaign, Trump stated that he could end the war in Ukraine “in 24 hours”, but has not mentioned this proposal in his public speeches recently.
