German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for "avoiding by all means" further escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Deutsche Welle reported.

The meeting lasted about three hours. This is the main aim of visit to Moscow, as well as the talks in Kyiv the day before, Scholz said at a joint press conference with Putin on Tuesday.

"For Europeans, it is clear that lasting security cannot be achieved against Russia but only with Russia," he said.

He also said that every effort must be made to prevent a renewed military escalation in Europe.