German Government Takes Legal Action Against Lawmaker

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has vehemently denied allegations made by CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter that he plans to visit Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin before the February 23 elections. Scholz labeled the claims as 'false' and 'deeply indecent', and he expressed outrage that such unfounded statements could be made. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit announced that legal action is being prepared against Kiesewetter for slander. Scholz emphasized that there is no basis for the allegations and reiterated that the government has no plans for such negotiations. The Kremlin also denied any scheduled meetings, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirming that Putin has no plans to meet either Scholz or incoming US President Trump. This speculation follows a previous report suggesting Scholz might seek to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, which was dismissed by CDU sources as mere rumors.