The Sunday Missile Strike on Ukraine by Russia: A Sign of Putin’s Unwillingness to Negotiate
EU|Vladimir Putin’s missile strike on Ukraine on Sunday demonstrates that he is not willing to negotiate, according to EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Josep Borrell.
Brussels
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Olaf Scholz’s call to Vladimir Putin is criticized by EU countries.
Russia struck Ukraine shortly after the call, raising doubts about Putin’s willingness to negotiate.
Scholz defends his call but admits that Putin’s views on war have not changed.
Criticism of Scholz’s Call to Putin
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing criticism from other EU countries. The call is seen as futile, if not dangerous.
Scholz spoke with Putin on Friday for the first time in nearly two years. The call was not coordinated with other EU leaders, but Scholz informed the leaders of the US, France, and the UK about his intentions beforehand.
“I do not comment on individual calls, but it is clear that this should not become a new normal where every EU head of state or government calls the Kremlin seeking attention for their own message,” said Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (Cons).
She emphasized the need for a unified EU message, with Ukraine being involved in the decisions.
“It is crucial to put Ukraine in a position where it can negotiate from a position of strength. Unfortunately, Putin understands no other language,” she added.
Valtonen also reminded that before February 2022, many Western leaders talked to Putin, who lied about not planning to attack Ukraine.
Call for Increased Western Support for Ukraine
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that Ukraine can negotiate peace credibly only if the West significantly increases military aid to the country and lifts restrictions on the use of Western weapons.
“Then the talks would make sense. At the moment, they do not,” Landsbergis stated.
Scholz still maintains his previous stance that Germany will not deliver long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also criticized the call over the weekend.
Escalation of Conflict Post Scholz’s Call
Many foreign ministers point out that shortly after Scholz’s call, Russia once again targeted civilian sites in Ukraine.
Russia struck Ukraine on Sunday with 120 missiles and 90 drones. The attack resulted in at least seven deaths and severe damage to the energy infrastructure. It was the largest attack in months.
“It does not seem like Putin is ready to negotiate, quite the opposite,” said EU’s Josep Borrell.
“No one stops Putin with calls. Last night’s attack, one of the biggest in this war, proved that phone diplomacy cannot replace real support for Ukraine,” wrote Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on X messaging service on Sunday.
Scholz’s Defense of the Call
On Sunday, Scholz defended his call, which has also been criticized by the opposition in Germany. He stated that he informed Putin that Germany’s support for Ukraine is wavering and assured that peace will not be negotiated without Ukraine. He said the call provided more insight into Putin’s thoughts.
“The conversation was very detailed but reinforced the view that the Russian president’s views on the war have not changed much – and that is not good news,” Scholz said.
According to Scholz, it is also important that the leader of a major European country ensures that the US and Russia do not negotiate peace without involving Ukraine.
Conclusion
Olaf Scholz’s phone call to Vladimir Putin has sparked controversy and criticism within the EU, with concerns about the effectiveness and repercussions of such communication. The subsequent missile strike on Ukraine has raised doubts about Putin’s intentions and willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. The escalating conflict underscores the urgent need for unified Western support for Ukraine and a clear, coherent approach in dealing with Russia’s aggression.
FAQs
1. Why is Olaf Scholz’s call to Vladimir Putin facing criticism?
Scholz’s call to Putin has been criticized for its perceived futility and potential danger, as it was not coordinated with other EU leaders and may not have yielded any significant outcomes in terms of peace negotiations.
2. What was the outcome of the missile strike on Ukraine following the phone call?
The missile strike on Ukraine resulted in casualties and extensive damage to vital infrastructure, indicating a lack of willingness on Putin’s part to engage in constructive dialogue and resolve the conflict peacefully.