I Have No Intention of Calling Putin: Merz

The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, has stated that he does not intend to have a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, presumably due to concerns that it could escalate the situation in Ukraine, reports RIA Novosti.

Merz pointed out that Russia intensified its military operations in Ukraine following Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's visit to Moscow and a phone call between Germany's former Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Putin.

“If this is the outcome of such phone calls, I will refrain from doing so for a long time,” the Chancellor said in response to a question about whether he plans to call the Russian president.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that if Chancellor Merz wants to call and talk, Moscow does not refuse contact and is always open to it.