Germany’s Scholz welcomes halt on Ukraine energy facility strikes as ‘first step’

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz called a ceasefire on attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure agreed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin an important first step but said a total ceasefire must be next.

“The next step must be a complete ceasefire for Ukraine and as quickly as possible. Of course it is clear that we both agree on this too,” said Scholz at a news conference in Berlin with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.

Scholz reiterated that there must not be no decision without Ukraine and above Ukraine’s head.

(Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Sarah Marsh)