Part 3/15:
Adding an espionage and diplomacy layer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz engaged in a rare phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin—marking the first direct conversation between Putin and a major Western leader in nearly two years. During the hourlong dialogue, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops and return to negotiations, emphasizing Germany's ongoing support for Ukraine. Nonetheless, Moscow remained firm, insisting that any peace deal must acknowledge Russian territorial gains and security demands, including Ukraine’s non-membership in NATO.