Scholz: Cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure could mark first step toward peace

This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who spoke a joint briefing with French President Emmanuel Macron in Berlin on March 18, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to the chancellor, Berlin closely followed the phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Putin and consulted with the leaders of France and Ukraine in this regard.

“We fully agree that the goal of all efforts should be a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” Scholz said.

He said the announced cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure was “a possible first important step on this path.” The same applies to technical negotiations on a ceasefire at sea, he added. The next step should be a complete ceasefire – as soon as possible, the politician said.

The Chancellor reiterated that Ukraine can rely on Germany and Europe as a whole, which will not abandon the nation, adding that no decision can be made over the heads of Ukrainians.

European partners, in particular in the EU3 format (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom), will continue to do their part. The head of government added that U.S. assistance remains indispensable, because it is very important that Washington continues its military support for Kyiv.

Scholz stressed that the war in Ukraine has a very significant impact on European security. He recalled that the Bundestag earlier today passed a “historic decision” to amend the Basic Law, which will allow for a significant increase in defense-related funding, which points to Germany’s reading to deliver on its commitments.

He noted that coordination in Europe is closer than it has been for a long time. Later this week in Brussels, EU leaders will once again discuss ways to strengthen their defense capabilities and continue assistance to Ukraine. All member states must increase defense spending, and this will become one of the central tasks for the coming years and decades, Scholz said. According to the chancellor, on Thursday, the EU summit will host a concrete discussion of how to strengthen the European defense industry. To this end, the chancellor noted, it is necessary to facilitate defense procurement procedures within the EU, and expressed hope that this will be reflected in the Defense White Paper that the President of the European Commission will present on Wednesday. This task should cover not only the 27 member states, but also the UK and Norway, Scholz added.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call on Tuesday, where they discussed the need to end the war in Ukraine.