In the last days, Putin spoke with Macron and, at some length, with Xi. With the former, he emphasized why he insists that western countries demand that Ukraine adhere to the Minsk agreement on resolving tension over eastern Ukraine, and agree to no further expansion of NATO. With Xi, the discussion focused on achieving "ever-lasting peace and good neighborliness" on their common border. Meanwhile, new German Chancellor Scholz is trying to reassure Germans that his radical Green transformation won't negatively affect their personal well-being!
