FRANKFURT: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has commended the recent Saudi-led summit aimed at achieving a peace settlement to quell the conflict in Ukraine and has emphasized the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Scholz’s call for further talks comes after representatives from approximately 40 nations, including China, Germany, India, and the United States, convened at a summit in Jeddah to discuss potential solutions to the Ukraine crisis. Notably, Russia was not included in the discussions.
Speaking during his annual summer interview with German broadcaster ZDF, Scholz expressed the belief that sustained dialogue could exert pressure on Russia, encouraging them to reconsider their course of action. He emphasized the significance of both the Copenhagen and Saudi Arabian talks, held at the level of foreign policy advisors, as vital initiatives, signaling that they signify the beginning of a longer process.
10-Point Ukraine Peace Plan
Highlighting Ukraine’s efforts, Scholz referenced Kyiv’s 10-point peace plan that it sought to garner support for during the Saudi summit. One of the key points in this plan is the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. However, Russia maintains its stance that a peace settlement can only be attained if Ukraine lays down its arms.
The recent Saudi-led summit has garnered a degree of satisfaction from Ukraine, which sought to strengthen international backing for its peace proposal. In response to Russia’s invasion, Ukraine initiated a counteroffensive in June with the aid of Western weapons. Despite these efforts, Ukraine has encountered resilient resistance from Russian forces.
Kyiv’s plea for long-range Taurus cruise missiles from Germany, designed to enhance its counteroffensive capabilities, remains a contentious topic. Germany, though the second-largest military assistance provider to Ukraine after the United States, has been cautious about supplying such weaponry out of concerns that it could potentially escalate the conflict by reaching Russian territory.
Addressing the prospect of providing Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz maintained a cautious stance, emphasizing the meticulous evaluation of each decision. “As in the past, we will always review every single decision very carefully, what is possible, what makes sense, what can be our contribution,” he stated during the interview.
