German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that maintaining communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin is essential, even as he reminded Moscow that the sanctions imposed by the West due to the war in Ukraine would not be lifted unless there was a “fair peace.” “It is absolutely necessary to speak to Putin and I will continue to do so, as the French president will also,” Scholz told dpa in an exclusive interview on Friday. Western leaders are continuing their diplomatic efforts to end the conflict that began on February 24. Scholz’s comments came hours after he returned from a visit to Ki…