EU Rejects Schröder as Mediator, Kallas Warns on Russia

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has rejected a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder could mediate negotiations between Russia and the EU on ending the war in Ukraine.

She said it would not be wise to allow Russia to negotiate on the EU’s behalf and pointed to Schröder’s ties to Russian state-owned companies, adding that he would effectively sit on both sides of the table.

Schröder took on roles in Russian-backed gas pipeline projects after leaving office in 2005 and has faced sustained criticism in Germany for his close relationship with Putin.

The German government has also dismissed Putin’s proposal as untrustworthy. Berlin has warned that Moscow has shown no genuine interest in serious peace talks and continues to seek to divide Western allies. A government official described a possible extension of the three-day ceasefire as an initial test of Russia’s willingness to negotiate.

The debate intensified after European Council President António Costa said there could be scope for future talks with Russia on Europe’s security architecture.

However, some politicians from Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) have called for a more pragmatic approach. Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Adis Ahmetovic said Europe must not allow the future of Ukraine to be decided solely by the US and Russia without EU involvement.

(reuters, max)