German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years. The German leader "urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace",

Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone call Friday as the German leader urged the president to enter talks with Ukraine to end the war.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the German chancellor's phone call with Russia's leader on Friday opened a "Pandora's box" that undermined efforts to isolate Vladimir Putin and end the war in Ukraine with a "fair peace".