German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urges for a new peace conference in Ukraine involving Russia, as pressure mounts at home after recent election losses.
FRANKFURT (Multibagger) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has emphasized the need for a fresh push towards peace in Ukraine, stating that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have agreed on the necessity of a new peace conference that includes Russia.
In a televised interview with broadcaster ZDF, Scholz stated, "I believe now is the time to discuss how to achieve peace from this state of war, and at a faster pace."
Scholz faces domestic pressure following losses for all three parties in his center-left coalition in two recent regional state elections, while groups advocating for closer ties with Moscow gained more support.
The nationalist party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the new anti-establishment party BSW, which oppose military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, both saw significant increases in votes.
In July, Zelenskiy announced plans to have a strategy ready by November for Kyiv to host a second international peace summit in Ukraine, with Russian representatives in attendance.
Ukraine previously welcomed delegations from 92 countries at an initial summit in Switzerland in June to promote its peace plan. Russia, which initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was not invited to the event and dismissed it as futile.
Analysis:
The call for a new peace conference in Ukraine involving Russia highlights ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in the region. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's stance on peace initiatives could impact diplomatic relations and future negotiations between the involved parties. The outcome of these discussions may have economic implications for countries involved in the conflict, as stability in the region can influence global markets and investor sentiment.