"It is necessary to prevent the victory of the Russian army in Ukraine."

APA reports quoting TASS that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said this at a press conference after a video conference with Western leaders.

The talks were attended by the Presidents of the United States, Poland, France, Romania, the Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy, as well as the President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"Together with our partners in the EU and NATO, we fully agree that Russia will not win this war," Scholz said.

The Chancellor addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin directly:

"Stop the shelling of Ukrainian cities. Let us establish an immediate ceasefire. Stop this terrible war."

Scholz called Russia's operation in Ukraine a "meaningless war" and a clear violation of international law.