German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first direct conversation in almost two years. During the one-hour call, Scholz condemned Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and urged Putin to withdraw troops and negotiate for a just and lasting peace. The German Chancellor reiterated Germany's commitment to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. This call follows Scholz's discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasizing Germany's solidarity with Ukraine. The conversation comes as Ukraine enters its third winter under attack, with significant damage to its energy infrastructure. Scholz's outreach has been met with skepticism from some European governments, highlighting the sensitive nature of direct dialogue with the Kremlin.