German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on February 21 as part of efforts that a Scholz spokesman said were intended to “prevent a catastrophe” in Ukraine.
Reuters reported that Scholz had condemned possible plans by Putin to recognize an independence bid by Russia-backed separatists who control parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine.
The German side said Scholz warned Putin that recognizing the separatists would be a "unilateral breach" of the Minsk peace accords.
Putin was scheduled to speak in a televised address "soon" as the Kremlin chief said he was considering the recognition question, which analysts fear could be intended to provide a justification for a major attack on Ukraine.
Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said ahead of the call that it was "closely coordinated" with French President Emmanuel Macron, who also spoke to Putin on February 20 and February 21.
The spokesman said Scholz's planned talks were part of the "joint diplomatic efforts" by the West to stop Russia from invading Ukraine.
Germany has vowed to join its Western allies in placing tough sanctions on Moscow should it decide to invade its neighbor.
