Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized a recent call between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling it a move that undermines efforts to isolate Russia and strengthen its leader.

“This is precisely what Putin has sought for a long time,” Zelensky said regarding the call. “It is crucial for him to weaken his and Russia’s isolation and engage in talks that ultimately achieve nothing.”

The conversation, which took place on Friday, marked the first time Scholz had spoken with Putin in two years. It occurred as Scholz prepared for a snap election and Europe awaited clarity on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for the Ukraine war.

During the call, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and engage in negotiations with Kyiv to establish a “just and lasting peace,” according to a German government statement reported by Reuters. The Kremlin stated that the discussion had been initiated by Berlin and that Putin insisted any peace deal must consider Russian security concerns and acknowledge “new territorial realities.”

Zelensky and other European officials reportedly warned Scholz against the call, believing it served domestic political purposes as Scholz faces electoral pressure from populist parties advocating for more diplomacy to end the war. Scholz’s Social Democrats face a critical snap election on February 23.

While Scholz emphasized Germany’s continued support for Ukraine, Zelensky argued that talks with Putin yield no progress toward a “just peace.” In his nightly address, Zelensky stated, “This call allowed Russia to maintain its current policies and do nothing substantive, which is what led to this war in the first place.”

The call also came shortly after Trump’s election as U.S. president. Trump has suggested he could quickly end the war without detailing his approach and has criticized the extent of Western financial and military aid to Ukraine. A Western diplomat told Reuters that the timing of the call sent a poor signal and expressed hope that Scholz could later use the talks to demonstrate Putin’s unwillingness to compromise.

Energy Deals and Briefings The Kremlin noted that Putin expressed willingness to discuss energy agreements if Germany showed interest. Germany, previously reliant on Russian gas, ceased direct imports after the destruction of the Baltic Sea pipelines in 2022. Scholz intends to brief Zelensky, EU leaders, NATO, and Germany’s allies on the outcome of the call, according to Reuters. Putin and Scholz reportedly agreed to maintain communication.

Ongoing War and Escalations Ukraine continues to face challenging conditions on the eastern front, with Russian forces advancing amid shortages of personnel and weaponry. Scholz reportedly told Putin that deploying North Korean troops to Russia for combat against Ukraine would represent a significant escalation. Zelensky claims that North Korea has sent 11,000 troops to Russia, some of whom have reportedly suffered casualties in clashes with Ukrainian forces occupying parts of Russia’s Kursk region.

Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest supporter, having provided €15 billion in financial, humanitarian, and military aid since the full-scale invasion began. However, the future of U.S. aid to Ukraine is uncertain following Trump’s election.

Scholz and Putin last spoke in December 2022, 10 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has severely strained relations between Moscow and the West.