German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. File photoBERLIN, May 11.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, the latter informed the German leader about the progress of the negotiation process between Kyiv and Moscow, German Cabinet spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters. that with his departure, Ukraine has lost a statesman «who with vision and courage led Ukraine to independence.»The leader of the Slovak opposition refused to listen to Zelensky's speech «In addition, the chancellor listened to information about the current state and progress of the negotiation process between Ukraine and Russia to end the special operation. The chancellor stressed that Russia is still required to immediately cease hostilities, withdraw troops from Ukraine and restore territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. The Chancellor and the Ukrainian President also exchanged views on concrete, practical possibilities for further support for Ukraine and agreed to remain in close contact,» Hebeshtreit said. Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on February 24. President Vladimir Putin called its goal «the protection of people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.» bloody crimes against civilians» of Donbass. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces strike only at military infrastructure and Ukrainian troops, and on March 25 they completed the main tasks of the first stage — they significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. The main goal in the Russian military department was called the liberation of Donbass.
