EU rejects ex-German Chancellor as possible mediator in Russia–Ukraine talks

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is unfit to represent Europe in any peace negotiations aimed at ending the Russia–Ukraine war, amid renewed debate over potential mediation channels, POLITICO reports.

Her remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested over the weekend that Schröder, who served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and later held positions with Russian state-owned energy companies, could take part in peace talks on behalf of European countries.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas rejected the idea.

“First, if we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, that would not be very wise,” she said.

“And second, I think Gerhard Schröder has been the high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies so it’s clear why Putin wants him to be the person, so he would be sitting on both sides of the table,” she added.

The comments come as discussions continue over Europe’s role in potential negotiations, with the United States so far acting as the primary mediator in Russia–Ukraine contacts while European states have largely remained on the sidelines.

Over the weekend, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europe should be involved in any future talks, suggesting representation from the so-called E3 group comprising Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

Kallas also outlined conditions under which the European Union could engage directly in talks with Moscow, stressing the need for Russian concessions.

“The issue of European security is that Russia is constantly attacking its neighbors,” she said. “And for that we need concessions also from the Russian side. I was last week in Moldova [where] there are Russian troops, for example. That could be one of the conditions to have security and stability in the region, that they take their troops away.”

By Vafa Guliyeva