Ukraine joins EU in opposing ex-German official's involvement in peace talks

Ukraine has rejected the idea of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder serving as a potential European Union negotiator in any future dialogue with Russia, as debate continues over possible diplomatic formats for talks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Kyiv does not support Schröder’s participation in any prospective negotiation process involving the EU and Moscow, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

Sybiha made clear that Ukraine rejects the proposal to involve the former German leader in such talks.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also reiterated concerns about Schröder’s past ties to Russia, describing him as a “high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies.” 

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.

By Vafa Guliyeva