Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has called for Russia to be included in future peace conferences aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. In an interview, Scholz expressed a need for increased efforts to resolve the conflict and emphasized the importance of involving Russia in peace talks. This comes after a previous international peace conference in June saw 78 countries express support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but Russia did not participate, leaving the path forward unclear.
Scholz’s stance comes amidst political discontent at home over his government’s support for Ukraine. Populist parties opposing arming Kyiv made gains in state elections, and some members of Scholz’s party have called for more emphasis on diplomacy towards Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed gratitude for the support received at a recent defence meeting, urging for the expedited delivery of military hardware to the battlefield.
The situation on the ground remains tense, with reports of ongoing fierce fighting near the town of Pokrovsk and recent Russian airstrikes causing power outages in the area. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region has shared photos showing the aftermath of Ukrainian shelling, claiming damage to residential buildings and injuries to civilians. The conflict continues to escalate, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the violence.
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