Joe Biden : “ – Now you can strike deep inside Russia …”
Olaf Scholz : “… with the missiles you are not getting from me.”
In which direction is the war in Ukraine heading? On 15 November, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD, centre-left) caused controversy by talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in over two years. The call, which was roundly criticized by Germany’s partners, is the latest episode in a series of political misfortunes for Scholz. In February 2025, with no popular support, the German Chancellor will face snap elections. According to some observers, Scholz, whose coalition broke apart on 6 November, is hoping to re-enter the electoral race as a “peace chancellor”, prepared to renew contact with all interested parties in Ukraine.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was clearly disappointed by Scholz’s manoeuvre, this disappointment may have been counterbalanced by news from across the Atlantic. On 18 November, US President Joe Biden’s entourage announced that Ukraine was now authorised to use – on a case-by-case basis – long-range missiles capable of striking inside Russian territory. This long-delayed decision is seen by some as a response to the ongoing Russian offensive and North Korean involvement in the conflict.
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