Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed support for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine conflict.
This was the first call between the two leaders since December 2022. Scholz emphasized the need for Russia to negotiate with Ukraine for a fair and lasting peace, reaffirming Germany’s “unwavering determination” to support Kiev and calling for Moscow’s withdrawal from occupied Ukrainian territories.
Putin, on the other hand, blamed NATO’s “aggressive policy” for the war, claiming it sought to create an anti-Russian stronghold in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.
At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Trudeau stressed the importance of dialogue with Moscow, saying, “We all understand how crucial it is to end the violence in Ukraine, to put an end to conflicts around the world. That means engaging with those we often disagree with.”
Trudeau also reiterated his communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized the Putin-Scholz call, accusing it of undermining Russia’s isolation and opening “Pandora’s box.”
