Berlin sceptical as Putin proposes Germany's ex-chancellor Schroeder as Ukraine mediator
Summary
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would prefer former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to act as a mediator in the war in Ukraine. German officials and politicians reacted with caution and skepticism toward this proposal.Key Facts
- Putin proposed Gerhard Schroeder, Germany’s ex-chancellor, as a mediator to help restart talks about the Ukraine war.
- Schroeder served as Germany’s chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and has maintained a close relationship with Putin since leaving office.
- Schroeder has not publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022.
- German officials described Putin’s proposal as likely another “bogus offer” from Russia.
- Some German politicians say Schroeder’s close ties to Russia make him unsuitable as a mediator.
- Others in Schroeder’s own SPD party believe the suggestion should be carefully considered with European partners.
- A key point raised is that any mediator must be accepted by Ukraine, which neither Russia nor Germany can decide.
- Schroeder lost certain privileges in Germany due to his stance and resigned from Russian energy company positions in 2022.
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