Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown his backing for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as concerns about whether such communication is effective loom large. Trudeau expressed skepticism about trusting Putin, emphasizing, "That requires a level of engagement with counterparts who, in many cases, we disagree with." This statement emerged during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held from November 15-16.
Scholz spoke with Putin on November 15 for the first time in almost two years. According to reports, he condemned Russia’s actions and urged the Russian leader to withdraw troops from Ukraine, discussing potential negotiations with Kyiv.
Despite Trudeau's cautious approval of the dialogue between Scholz and Putin, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has voiced sharp criticism, arguing such conversations could open up unwanted pathways for engagement with the Kremlin. Zelenskyy stated, "It is extremely important for Putin to loosen his isolation, Russia's isolation," characterizing the conversation as opening up a "Pandora's box" of interaction.
On the heels of Scholz’s call, Ukraine experienced yet another wave of violence, with Russia launching large-scale missile and drone strikes. Consequently, these attacks were brought to attention by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who communicated via social media, highlighting the futility of diplomatic exchanges with Putin. Tusk asserted, "No one will stop Putin with phone calls. The attack last night, one of the biggest in this war, has proved telephone diplomacy cannot replace real support from the whole West for Ukraine."
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, echoed Tusk’s sentiments, expressing disapproval of any perceived leniency toward Putin. Sybiha remarked, "This is war criminal Putin’s true response to all those who called and visited him recently. We need peace through strength, not appeasement." This reflects the strong sentiment among Ukrainian officials who perceive engagements with Russia as inadequate.
Defending his actions, Scholz framed the phone call as necessary to clarify misconceptions Putin might hold about Western support for Ukraine. He remarked, "The conversation was very detailed but...little has changed in the Russian president's views of the war - and that's not good news." This highlights Scholz’s perspective of the call as not just dialogue but as strategic positioning against Russian disinformation.
The situation takes on additional complexity with the upcoming return of Donald Trump to the White House, as he has expressed intentions to swiftly end the Ukraine war by bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. This looming shift raises concerns over the stability of U.S. support for Ukraine, potentially compelling European leaders to bolster their contributions more substantially.
President Zelenskyy remains vocal about the pressing need for diplomacy but cautions against recognizing Putin's legitimacy, stating, "You have not recognized Putin as president because he is a killer. Otherwise, you will destroy this political isolation." His remarks underline the delicate balancing act of engaging with Russia without compromising Ukraine's stance on international law and sovereignty.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has gone on record stating the call between Scholz and Putin would not aid peace efforts, highlighting the growing frustrations among allies about the effectiveness of traditional diplomacy amid persistent aggression from the Kremlin. Scholz’s own reflections post-discussion indicated no shifts in Putin's mindset about the conflict, signaling, perhaps, the limitations of these phone diplomacy efforts.
With the Western alliance feeling the stresses of military and economic support to Ukraine, as well as the unpredictable dynamics introduced with the potential U.S. policy changes post-Trump’s anticipated return, the outcome of future engagements remains uncertain. This narrative encapsulates the contemporary diplomatic struggle where leaders navigate the treacherous waters of international relations, strategic communication, and the dire consequences of war.
