Currently, several countries, including Ukraine, are discussing at the security advisor level in what form a peaceful agreement with Russia can be reached, according to the Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz.
He said that there have always been mediation initiatives to put an end to the war in Ukraine.
"For example, immediately after the start of the war, Russia and Ukraine negotiated directly with each other. The negotiations failed because Russia used them only as a pretext for simultaneously deploying its troops to the east for a major offensive. Then, the Bucha and Irpin massacres came to light, unimaginable crimes of the Russian armed forces in the field of human rights against the civilian population".
He emphasized that the mass killings of Ukrainians in the Kyiv region deprived negotiations with Russia of any basis.
"After some time, a grain deal was successfully discussed. Unfortunately, (Russian dictator Vladimir - ed.) Putin canceled it again at a certain point," he said.
The Chancellor also reminded that negotiations were ongoing on the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and a prisoner exchange.
"Currently, several countries, including Ukraine, are discussing at the level of security advisors, in what form a peaceful agreement can be reached. But let me clarify one thing: peace is possible at any time. Putin just has to stop his barbaric campaign and withdraw his troops," Scholz emphasized.
Pushing Ukraine towards negotiations with Russia
During two years of full-scale Russian aggression, Ukraine has been pushed several times towards negotiations with Russia. A new phase of pushing has started recently. In particular, China sent its special envoy to Russia, Ukraine, and the EU, responsible for "diplomatic resolution."
After meeting with the Ukrainian President, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed holding a "peace" summit involving Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected this proposal and invited Türkiye to participate in the Global Peace Summit initiated by Ukraine.