It is necessary to keep talking to Putin, says German leader

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Michael Kappeler/dpa/AP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it is “absolutely necessary” for some leaders to talk directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin, amid efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and he and France’s president will continue to do so.

Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron have held several telephone conversations with Putin, separately and together, since Russia’s invasion began on February 24.