Scholz: Possibilities for peaceful resolution of Ukraine war should be explored

He said this after a meeting with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, Ukrinform reports.

‘Russia has attacked Ukraine. That is why Germany, like many other countries, supports Ukraine. This is the way it is and will remain so, so that the country can defend itself, protect its integrity and sovereignty. But we are also clear that at the same time it remains necessary to explore the possibilities of opening up peaceful development,’ Scholz said.

The German Chancellor recalled, in particular, the Peace Summit held in June in Switzerland, which ended with a common opinion that Russia should be present at the second summit.

‘Now is the time to see what is happening. But it is clear to me that this is not working: Russia, on the contrary, is continuing everything now - continuing the war and continuing to attack Ukraine with enormous aggression... We should never ignore... that it was Russia that not only started the war, but also continues it and can contribute at any time to making sure that it ends with Russia stopping its aggression,’ he added.

• On September 14, the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany parliamentary faction, Rolf Mützenich, proposed to initiate the creation of a contact group for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.