EU rejects Putin call for Gerhard Schröder role in Ukraine peace talks
Summary
The European Union rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion to have former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder act as a mediator in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. EU officials said Schröder could not be neutral because of his close ties to Russia and past work with Russian state companies.Key Facts
- Putin proposed Gerhard Schröder as a mediator to help restart peace talks between Russia and Europe.
- Schröder previously held senior roles with Russian energy projects like Nord Stream and was on the Rosneft oil company board.
- Schröder stepped down after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but has not publicly criticized Putin.
- The EU dismissed the proposal, saying Schröder is not neutral due to his past lobbying for Russia.
- EU officials worry Russia wants Schröder to represent both sides of the talks.
- Putin hinted the war in Ukraine might be ending but demands Ukraine pull troops from eastern Donbas first.
- Ukraine refuses to withdraw troops from its territory and has made recent gains on the battlefield.
- EU leaders want to be included in peace talks but have been largely sidelined so far.
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