Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for the first time in nearly two years as the German leader gears up for a snap election and Europe waits to hear Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in Ukraine.

The hourlong call centered on what German officials said was a push to end the war in Ukraine. It was the first in two years between Mr. Putin and Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Ukraine accused Olaf Scholz of opening a “Pandora’s box” after he held a phone call with Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring about an end to the war. The German chancellor spoke with Putin for the first time in two years amid signs that European leaders are softening on negotiations with the Kremlin.