The European Union has dismissed Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could serve as a European mediator in peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The Russian leader had floated Schröder, a long-time ally and Kremlin-friendly figure, as a possible representative for Europe.
EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas told journalists in Brussels that giving Russia the right to appoint a negotiator on behalf of the bloc would be unwise. She said Schröder cannot be considered impartial given his past work as a “high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies”, adding: “It is clear why Putin wants him to be the person, so that actually he would be sitting on both sides of the table.”
Schröder, 82, previously held senior positions in Russian energy projects including work on the Nord Stream gas pipelines and a seat on the board of Rosneft. He stepped down months after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine but has never explicitly condemned Putin. German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested Putin’s peace remarks were a likely ruse, stating: “It’s to be feared – and I hope I’m wrong – that this is yet another deception.”
Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its troops from the Donbas region as a precondition for talks, a condition Kyiv has rejected. The US-brokered ceasefire is due to expire on Tuesday and Moscow has refused to extend it. European capitals have insisted that no discussions about Ukraine should take place without Kyiv’s involvement.
Germany’s Europe minister, Gunther Krichbaum, said Schröder has not demonstrated the ability to act as a neutral mediator, being “heavily influenced” by Putin. Estonia’s foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, added: “Gerhard Schröder is Putin’s idea … I think they are very close. Gerhard Schröder will not be representing Europe.”
