A year and a half or two years ago, conversations with [former German] Chancellor [Olaf] Scholz and other European leaders were regular. But at some point, when our European partners plotted to inflict a strategic defeat on us on the battlefield, they stopped these contacts themselves. They stopped them, so they should be the ones to resume them. We are open to dialogue, and I’ve said this many times.

Axar.az reports Russian President Vladimir Putin stated this at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies.

However, he expressed doubt that Germany could act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
“A mediator must be neutral. But when we see German tanks — Leopards — on the battlefield, and now the Federal Republic is considering supplying Taurus missiles to strike Russian territory, possibly even involving Bundeswehr officers, it raises serious concerns,” he said.

Putin added that such actions would not change the course of hostilities but would “completely ruin our relations.” According to him, Germany is no longer seen as a neutral party but rather as one that supports Ukraine — and in some cases, as a co-participant in the conflict.

Nevertheless, he emphasized Russia’s openness to dialogue: “If there is a desire to talk about this and present any ideas, we are always ready,” he concluded.