German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the conversation between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week was further evidence of the Russian leader’s disinterest in negotiations with Ukraine.

Pistorius defended Scholz’s decision to speak with Putin in an hour-long phone call on Tuesday, which drew criticism from Ukraine and some European allies.

But Pistorius also said the call only provided further evidence of Putin’s little interest in engaging in negotiations with the West over Ukraine or other issues.

“I think it hasn’t been as effective as we all would have hoped, because Putin responded more or less immediately within 48 hours with his severe attacks, his severe attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. But it’s still important to speak whenever it is possible to speak,” Pistorius said.

“This phone call provided proof that Putin is not willing to negotiate on anything. So everyone in Germany and other European countries should finally understand that it is not the point to talk about peace ” he said. said. “Because each of us wants peace, of course, but Putin doesn’t want it – so any phone call is proof of that.”

Pistorius made the comments while attending a meeting of defense ministers from EU countries in Brussels.