INTERNATIONAL: The large part of the meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin is about the Russian troops build-up and activities on the Ukranian border, as well as the question on safety guarantees which Russia formulated. Schol presented their evaluation of the security situation and how Germany and other European partners see the situation and that they see the troop build-up as a threat.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed the pull back of some Russian troops from near Ukraine on Tuesday,February 15, adding that diplomatic options to avoid war had not been exhausted.

He further says that his position is very clear, his conviction is not in line with the rule of law. He has made his position clear during many occasions already.

On the Nord Stream 2, as to the pipeline itself, everybody knows what's going on, Germany has committed to ensuring that the gas transit in Europe works via Ukraine, via Belarus and via Poland with Nord Stream 1, based on the overall agreement they have and they will honour it.

Scholz has told a news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, adding “The diplomatic possibilities are far from being exhausted. As heads of state and government it's our damn responsibility and our job to prevent a military escalation in Europe."

"It is a good sign that we are hearing some of the troops are being withdrawn. We hope more such signs will follow," Scholz has also said.

^{PHOTO: PHOTO: GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ SAYING IT IS OUR DAMN RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THERE IS NO WAR IN EUROPE, ADDING IT IS A GOOD SIGN THAT RUSSIA HAS WITHDRAWN SOME TROOPS}