On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that Berlin wants to explore all possibilities to end the war in Ukraine – adding that he is also willing to hold talks with the Russian president.
– Alongside clear support for Ukraine, it is time for us to do everything we can to explore how we can get to a situation where this war doesn’t carry on indefinitely, Scholz told the German parliament.
– When we are asked, ‘Will we also speak to the Russian president’, we say, ‘Yes, this is the case’, the German leader clarified.
However, the Chancellor added that “decisions will never be taken over the heads of Ukraine and without the agreement of our close partners”.
Widespread war fatigue
After the United States, Germany has been Ukraine’s largest military contributor, but as in other Western countries, there are now reports of widespread war fatigue and a growing reluctance to continue pouring money and military equipment into Kiev.
The Nordic Times recently reported that Finland’s foreign minister complained that Western leaders are increasingly tired of supporting Ukraine in the war, and that the country’s former president recently stated that support for Ukraine “will not last forever”, as resources are becoming increasingly scarce.
Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also presented his “victory plan” to end the war, rejecting all territorial concessions and calling once again for increased military and economic support from the West.
