Confronted with setbacks in recent local elections, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is reportedly considering a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine, inspired by the now-defunct Minsk agreements. This proposal could compel Kyiv to make territorial concessions.
According to La Repubblica, Chancellor Scholz is formulating a “peace plan” that would allow Russia to retain the Ukrainian territories it has previously occupied.
“Reeling from disastrous results in Thuringia and Saxony and increasingly perturbed by speculation that a potential loss in Brandenburg on September 22 might force his hand, the Chancellor appears to be using the Ukrainian issue as a lever to resolve the political impasse,” the article suggests.
Olaf Scholz is reportedly seeking to cement his legacy as a “chancellor of peace” by using the Russian war in Ukraine to regain lost political ground, according to the Ukrainian media outlet Censor.net, which has backed this speculation.
German journalists, citing parliamentary sources, indicate that Scholz is collaborating with certain colleagues on a proposal resembling the “Minsk agreements,” which could enable the transfer of parts of Ukrainian territory to Moscow. On the preceding day, in an interview with ZDF television, Scholz advocated for a new peace forum that would include Russia.
In Ukraine, the proposal has been met with considerable scepticism, given the enduring grievances over the original Minsk agreements. The European Union also remains doubtful: “So far, we have not seen any genuine effort from Putin to engage in peace talks,” remarked Peter Stano, EU spokesperson, in reference to Moscow’s potential involvement in the forthcoming peace summit, as reported by Ukrinform.
“We have consistently emphasised that Russia’s participation will likely be necessary, given that Russia created this major international security crisis with its attack on Ukraine and its people. To address the issue, it is crucial to involve those responsible. When the time comes to organise the second peace conference after the Swiss summit, the decision on Russia’s involvement will rest with the organisers,” the spokesperson stated. He also highlighted that the EU backs President Zelenskyy’s peace plan, viewing it as the most constructive approach.
Earlier, Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, clarified that inviting a Russian representative to the second peace summit should not be seen as initiating negotiations with Russia, as noted by the Ukrainian news outlet European Pravda. President Zelensky has expressed optimism that the preparatory document for the second peace summit will be finalised by November.
The inaugural peace summit was held in Burgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15-16, 2024, without any Russian delegates. According to President Zelensky, Russian representatives will be welcome to attend the second summit, scheduled for August 27, should they choose to participate.
