Scholz urges to avoid steps that may result in direct Russia-NATO confrontation

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not believe that events in Ukraine could lead to a third world war.

Report informs, citing TASS, that in an interview with newspaper Welt am Sonntag, Scholz said he supposes that it is necessary to prevent unwise steps which could result in a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

"I do not proceed from this, but at least [such] a threat should be ignored," Scholz said, when asked if there are fears that the conflict in Ukraine would escalate into a third world war.

"In such a dangerous situation, any unreasonable step is unacceptable. There should not be a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO," the chancellor said.

“Here I share the same opinion with Joe Biden, whom I consider an outstanding president [of the United States] and who understands a lot in this world and has his own strong opinion,” the head of the German government said.

Answering one of the questions during the interview, Scholz refused to disclose the content of the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.