German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refuted rumors that he is planning a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling them “false.” The rumor

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democratic Party (SPD) colleagues have criticised as false the statements by Roderich Kiesewetter, a politician from the opposition CDU party, alleging Scholz's intent to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin before 23 February.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday dismissed speculation from an opposition lawmaker about a possible trip to Moscow ahead of elections on February 23. "This is a false claim," said Scholz in Berlin.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply rejected accusations by opposition CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter that he might visit Moscow. Spiegel informs that the government is preparing a lawsuit for slander.