German Chancellor Olaf Scholz today, during a security conference in Munich, told how he argued with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who believes that the events in Donbas are similar to what happened in the Balkans in the 90s.

During the conference, Scholz refuted Moscow's assertion that it was Western support for Ukraine that provoked Russia to invade.. However, he told how he noticed Putin drawing a parallel between the situation in the Donbass and how, in the 90s, NATO states launched a military operation in Serbia..

“My answer is that we did it to prevent genocide,” Scholz said during a speech in Munich, adding that the inhabitants of the Balkan states are now striving to gain EU membership.. - When he (Putin - ed.. ) replies that genocide in Donbass is ridiculous. And I tell him about it"

The German Chancellor also noted that now the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU is not on the agenda..

" It won't happen anytime soon, and Putin knows it..

It turns out that we see a conflict in Europe because of an issue that is not on the agenda,"

Scholz also confirmed the position of Germany, which still refuses to provide weapons to Ukraine for protection..

[see_also ids\u003d"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also attend the Munich Security Conference. A total of 35 heads of state and government and about 100 ministers are expected there.. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew from the event..