Scholz can’t help himself. He really is a prize word removed. At this stage Ukraine aren’t going to be talking to Putin unless every Russian soldier leaves the whole of Ukraine including Crimea and Donbas. They've got absolutely no reason to trust Putin in any talks.
The mere fact he’s talked to Putin is bad enough, that makes Putin think he’s still in the game, it gives him options it gives him propaganda opportunities and he also gets an insight into how Western leaders are possibly thinking.
And all so Scholtz can try and revive his own flagging fortunes because he’s right royally stuffed up himself. The time for talks was months ago, Ukraine has the upper hand now