German officials have reacted cautiously to Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder could mediate peace talks in Ukraine. Government sources told AFP that Berlin had “taken note” of the proposal but viewed it as part of “a series of bogus offers” from Russia. One source said a real test of Moscow’s intentions would be to extend the current three-day truce.
Schröder, 82, has maintained close ties with Putin since leaving office, holding roles in Russian energy projects including Nord Stream and Rosneft. Putin said on Saturday he believes the war is winding down and nominated Schröder as a potential key negotiator. The suggestion has drawn mixed reactions in Germany: former SPD lawmaker Michael Roth said a mediator “cannot be Putin’s buddy” and must be accepted by Ukraine, while others like SPD foreign affairs spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic urged careful consideration with European partners.
The US-mediated ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine appeared under serious strain on its second day, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Three people were killed in Russian drone strikes near the frontline, and Ukrainian officials reported more than 200 battlefield clashes since early Saturday. Russia’s defence ministry said it had downed 57 Ukrainian drones and “responded in kind”.
Meanwhile, the US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to visit Moscow “soon enough” for further talks, according to Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov. Russia also criticised Armenia for providing President Zelenskyy a platform for “anti-Russian remarks” during his visit to Yerevan, signalling a chill in relations between the former allies.
In Latvia, defence minister Andris Spruds resigned after two Ukrainian drones entered its territory and hit oil storage facilities. Prime Minister Evika Silina said Spruds had lost her trust because anti-drone systems were not deployed quickly enough. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiga claimed the drones entered Latvia due to “Russian electronic warfare”.
