In a significant phone call, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine, labeling the deployment of North Korean forces as a ‘grave escalation’ of the conflict. This marked their first conversation in nearly two years, with Scholz advocating for negotiations to achieve a lasting peace. Meanwhile, Putin indicated that any peace agreement must consider the ‘new territorial realities’ created by Russia’s occupation. Scholz remains committed to supporting Ukraine while emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue between the two nations.