German Chancellor Olaf Scholz engaged in a rare phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, urging him to initiate discussions with Ukraine to pave the way for a “just and lasting peace.”

During the one-hour call, which marked their first dialogue in nearly two years, Scholz called for the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine and reiterated Germany’s unwavering support for the country, according to a spokesperson for the German government.

This conversation occurs as Ukraine grapples with increasingly challenging conditions on the battlefield, facing shortages in both arms and personnel while Russian troops continue to make gradual progress.

“The Chancellor emphasized the need for Russia to demonstrate a willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace,” the spokesperson stated.

“He reaffirmed Germany’s steadfast commitment to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary,” the spokesperson added.

Prior to his discussion with Putin, Scholz had a conversation with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and planned to update him on the call’s outcome, the spokesperson noted.

Germany stands as Ukraine’s largest financial supporter and its primary supplier of weapons after the United States, whose future assistance to Kyiv appears uncertain following Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory in the U.S. presidential race.

Trump has consistently criticized the extent of Western financial and military aid to Ukraine, suggesting he could quickly resolve the conflict, though he has not provided details on how this would be achieved.

Scholz and Putin last communicated in December 2022, ten months following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine, which has led to the most severe deterioration in relations with the West since the Cold War era.

As the least popular German chancellor in history, Scholz is gearing up for a national election scheduled for February 23, where his Social Democrats are confronted with significant challenges from both leftist and far-right parties that oppose Germany’s support for Ukraine.