٠٠:٠٧:٤٢German Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed that he was using 'many diplomatic channels' when asked about how to achieve peace in Ukraine, during a 'Chancellor Talks' event with members of the public in Schwerin on Wednesday.
"We advanced this with a peace conference that took place in Birkenstock, Switzerland. It was already said that the best perspective would be the next conference, where Russia would also be present," he said.
"I can tell you that my government and I are using many diplomatic channels to explore this. I just had a conversation with the French President. When I was in New York, I had a lot of conversations and many opportunities to talk, which I took advantage of," Scholz continued.
He added that the 'answer' was 'not solely in hands' but 'we're trying to get it done'.
Scholz was also asked about a 'plan B' if the US took a step back from Ukraine, which media reports suggest could happen if Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November.
"The question is very legitimate. Because the USA is the number one in the world, and they are the main supporter of Ukraine. Germany is right behind. But it's still something that obviously has huge significance," he said.
"We have prepared ourselves together to be able to help for a long time," he added. "The G7 states that together, we want to make a $50 billion loan possible, with which Ukraine will then be able to acquire the support it needs for the near future… [Putin] should not speculate that at some point the support will just let up and he can win the whole thing."
Trump has pledged to get the Ukraine conflict settled before his inauguration in January, should he win the election.
Earlier, Scholz held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, although neither has commented on the content of their conversation at time of publication. Some reports suggested they would discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, and a divide on Chinese EVs, with Macron backing tariffs and Scholz reluctant to risk counter-measures which could impact on the German automotive industry.
The first 'peace summit' on Ukraine was organised in Switzerland in June, and held without the participation of Moscow. Russia rejected the legitimacy of the meeting, while President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be ready for peace talks following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions - the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye - and if Kiev scrapped plans to join NATO.
Around 100 countries participated in that first summit, while 80 agreed to the final statement. Key Global South nations like India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all took part but were among those not endorsing the final outcome. Brazil, attending as an 'observer', also did not sign, while China did not send an envoy.
'We're trying to get it done' - Scholz says Berlin using 'diplomatic channels' for peace conference where Russia 'would be present'
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed that he was using 'many diplomatic channels' when asked about how to achieve peace in Ukraine, during a 'Chancellor Talks' event with members of the public in Schwerin on Wednesday.
"We advanced this with a peace conference that took place in Birkenstock, Switzerland. It was already said that the best perspective would be the next conference, where Russia would also be present," he said.
"I can tell you that my government and I are using many diplomatic channels to explore this. I just had a conversation with the French President. When I was in New York, I had a lot of conversations and many opportunities to talk, which I took advantage of," Scholz continued.
He added that the 'answer' was 'not solely in hands' but 'we're trying to get it done'.
Scholz was also asked about a 'plan B' if the US took a step back from Ukraine, which media reports suggest could happen if Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November.
"The question is very legitimate. Because the USA is the number one in the world, and they are the main supporter of Ukraine. Germany is right behind. But it's still something that obviously has huge significance," he said.
"We have prepared ourselves together to be able to help for a long time," he added. "The G7 states that together, we want to make a $50 billion loan possible, with which Ukraine will then be able to acquire the support it needs for the near future… [Putin] should not speculate that at some point the support will just let up and he can win the whole thing."
Trump has pledged to get the Ukraine conflict settled before his inauguration in January, should he win the election.
Earlier, Scholz held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, although neither has commented on the content of their conversation at time of publication. Some reports suggested they would discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, and a divide on Chinese EVs, with Macron backing tariffs and Scholz reluctant to risk counter-measures which could impact on the German automotive industry.
The first 'peace summit' on Ukraine was organised in Switzerland in June, and held without the participation of Moscow. Russia rejected the legitimacy of the meeting, while President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be ready for peace talks following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions - the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye - and if Kiev scrapped plans to join NATO.
Around 100 countries participated in that first summit, while 80 agreed to the final statement. Key Global South nations like India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all took part but were among those not endorsing the final outcome. Brazil, attending as an 'observer', also did not sign, while China did not send an envoy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz claimed that he was using 'many diplomatic channels' when asked about how to achieve peace in Ukraine, during a 'Chancellor Talks' event with members of the public in Schwerin on Wednesday.
"We advanced this with a peace conference that took place in Birkenstock, Switzerland. It was already said that the best perspective would be the next conference, where Russia would also be present," he said.
"I can tell you that my government and I are using many diplomatic channels to explore this. I just had a conversation with the French President. When I was in New York, I had a lot of conversations and many opportunities to talk, which I took advantage of," Scholz continued.
He added that the 'answer' was 'not solely in hands' but 'we're trying to get it done'.
Scholz was also asked about a 'plan B' if the US took a step back from Ukraine, which media reports suggest could happen if Donald Trump wins the presidential election in November.
"The question is very legitimate. Because the USA is the number one in the world, and they are the main supporter of Ukraine. Germany is right behind. But it's still something that obviously has huge significance," he said.
"We have prepared ourselves together to be able to help for a long time," he added. "The G7 states that together, we want to make a $50 billion loan possible, with which Ukraine will then be able to acquire the support it needs for the near future… [Putin] should not speculate that at some point the support will just let up and he can win the whole thing."
Trump has pledged to get the Ukraine conflict settled before his inauguration in January, should he win the election.
Earlier, Scholz held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, although neither has commented on the content of their conversation at time of publication. Some reports suggested they would discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, and a divide on Chinese EVs, with Macron backing tariffs and Scholz reluctant to risk counter-measures which could impact on the German automotive industry.
The first 'peace summit' on Ukraine was organised in Switzerland in June, and held without the participation of Moscow. Russia rejected the legitimacy of the meeting, while President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would be ready for peace talks following the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions - the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye - and if Kiev scrapped plans to join NATO.
Around 100 countries participated in that first summit, while 80 agreed to the final statement. Key Global South nations like India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia all took part but were among those not endorsing the final outcome. Brazil, attending as an 'observer', also did not sign, while China did not send an envoy.