Putin to Scholz: Neo-Nazi groups pose main threat in Ukraine

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Russia's President and Germany's Chancellor spoke over the telephone on Friday, with President Putin declaring that the main danger in Moscow comes from neo-Nazi military formations, according to a Kremlin statement.

"It was emphasized that the main danger comes from neo-Nazi military units that commit numerous war crimes, using terrorist methods, deploying strike weapons in residential areas, cynically hiding behind the civilian population." The statement further added that the Ukrainian government is not fulfilling its promises "to stop this barbarism", with such cases increasing. 

Putin also warned Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the growing number of foreign mercenaries operating in Ukraine, including those coming from Albania and Croatia and namely militants and Jihadists coming from Kosovo in order to put their experience from military operations in Syria to use.

Russia's President further stressed that Ukraine has to comply with the requirements of its "nuclear-free status", with demilitarization, denazification, the recognition of Crimea, and the LPR and DPR, and called on Scholz to influence Kiev authorities to ensure "a speedy release and safe evacuation of foreigners."

He also told Scholz that the West is ignoring humanitarian law violations by Ukraine, like over 6,000 foreign nationals being essentially held hostage, with people unable to leave areas controlled by Ukrainian forces, with one incident highlighted in which neo-Nazis shot at a foreign student dorm in the city of Sumy.

Putin told his counterpart that the "collective West" prefers to "ignore the aforementioned violations of international humanitarian law," the Kremlin's statement said.

Scholz: Germany will not be part of military confrontation in Ukraine

Scholz stated on Friday that Germany is not a participant in the armed crisis in Ukraine and would not become one.

German broadcaster Pheonix reported Scholz saying, "We are not, and will not be, part of the military clash that is taking place there. It is clear to us that NATO and its member states will not take part."

Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal Government Wolfgang Buchner announced Friday that NATO and Germany will not interfere in Ukraine, adding that "it is absolutely clear. NATO and thus Germany will not interfere in this war."