Scholz warns Putin against use of chemical weapons

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned Russian President Vladimir Putin personally against using chemical or biological warfare agents in Ukraine, Scholz's spokesperson said on Wednesday, reported dpa.

Asked by a journalist whether Scholz had warned the Kremlin leader against the use of such weapons, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit replied that Scholz had said he had "warned him [Putin] in a direct conversation."

"But no further consequences were discussed that I have to share here," Hebestreit added.

Scholz has had several phone calls with Putin since the Ukraine war began almost a month ago.

Speaking in parliament earlier on Wednesday, Scholz called for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine: "Weapons must fall silent - right now."

"Putin needs to hear the truth about the war in Ukraine," Scholz said. "And this truth is: the war is destroying Ukraine. But with the war, Putin is also destroying Russia's future."