By Sama Marwan,
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the proposed ceasefire to halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, considering it an important first step toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the country.
This came during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, held on Tuesday in Berlin following bilateral talks between the two leaders.
Scholz emphasized that this ceasefire marks an encouraging beginning toward de-escalation, noting that ongoing preparations for a maritime truce in the Black Sea are part of the same effort.
He stressed that the next step should be reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine as soon as possible, calling it a pressing necessity to end the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
According to the statements, the proposed truce followed a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Putin agreed to a partial ceasefire, which includes suspending attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days as a first phase, followed by negotiations to end hostilities in the Black Sea, paving the way for comprehensive peace.
Scholz reaffirmed that the ultimate goal of all these efforts should be a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. He warned against making any decisions without the involvement of the Ukrainian government or disregarding the will of the Ukrainian people.
For his part, Macron stressed that while the current progress is significant, it does not replace the ultimate goal: achieving a verifiable ceasefire that is fully respected. This would pave the way for comprehensive peace talks ensuring Ukraine’s security and stability, based on clear guarantees. He clarified that any future agreement must involve meaningful participation from the Ukrainian side.
