German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed support for a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump, suggesting it could aid in addressing the Ukraine conflict.

Scholz shared his views on Saturday during an interview with ARD, indicating that a Trump-Putin dialogue might initiate “possible negotiations” regarding the situation in Ukraine and ultimately “end the violence.”

“In this context, it is not unfavorable if the American president-elect and the Russian president are inclined to meet,” Scholz remarked.

Trump had previously indicated that arrangements for a meeting with Putin were underway, likely to occur after he officially assumes office on January 20. Moscow has confirmed that both leaders are willing to engage, although Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that details regarding the timing and location of the meeting remain unspecified.

“President Putin has consistently expressed his readiness to engage with international leaders, including the US president and specifically Donald Trump,” Peskov stated earlier this week.

“No preconditions are necessary for this. What is essential is a shared willingness and political commitment to engage in dialogue to address existing issues,” he added.

During his campaign, Trump frequently asserted his intention to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, yet he did not provide concrete plans for achieving this. Earlier this week, the president-elect acknowledged that he might require up to six months after taking office to facilitate an agreement between Moscow and Kiev.

In recent weeks, there have been speculations about Scholz seeking a meeting with the Russian president; however, Moscow has indicated that no such plans are currently in place. Earlier this month, the German chancellor also dismissed these rumors.

The chancellor criticized German MP Roderich Kiesewetter for disseminating rumors regarding an alleged trip to Moscow for a meeting with Putin, labeling the assertions as “groundless” and “highly inappropriate.” German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit described the allegations as “completely false,” “slanderous,” and “malicious,” further stating that the proposed trip “would be utterly illogical.”