Calling Chancellor Scholz, President Zelensky Praises German's 'change' That Benefits Ukraine

Presiden Ukraina Volodymyr Zelensky. (Wikimedia Common/The Presidential Office of Ukraine)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed the possibility of additional sanctions against Russia, in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, praising what he said was a more favorable change in Germany's position on Kyiv.

"I spoke today with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about how to hold all those guilty of war crimes accountable. About how to strengthen sanctions against Russia and how to persuade Russia to seek peace," President Zelensky said in his evening video address, looking relaxed in a chair, cited from Reuters, April 11.

"I am pleased to note that recently Germany's position has turned in favor of Ukraine. And I find this very logical because the majority of Germans support this policy. I thank them. And I hope that everything we agreed on will be implemented. This is very important," he continued.

Germany, reluctant in the early stages of the Russian invasion to provide Ukraine with weapons, has now agreed to supply anti-tank and missile weapons.

President Zelensky, who was initially critical of Germany for failing to provide tangible assistance, especially in his speech to the Bundestag last month, has praised Berlin's move.

Last week, Chancellor Scholz said on Friday Germany could end imports of Russian oil this year but stopping gas imports would be more difficult, as the country would need to build infrastructure to import gas from alternative sources.

Russian oil accounts for 25 percent of German imports, down from 35 percent before the February 24 invasion. Meanwhile, gas imports to Germany from Russia have been cut to 40 percent from 55 percent, and hard coal imports to 25 percent from 50 percent.

Meanwhile, a statement from Chancellor Scholz's office regarding talks with President Zelensky made no mention of discussing sanctions, saying President Zelensky had informed Chancellor Scholz of the "current situation and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia."

Furthermore, Scholz's office said the chancellor condemned what he said were war crimes by the Russian military in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine, that the German government would ensure perpetrators were identified and brought to justice both nationally and internationally.

Moscow has rejected accusations by Ukraine and Western countries of war crimes. It denies targeting civilians during what the Kremlin calls a "special military operation" to demilitarize and "denazify" its neighbors.