Putin wants Schröder to act as a mediator in peace negotiations with Ukraine. Official Berlin rejected the proposal

The German government has rejected the proposal by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to involve former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in peace negotiations with Ukraine. In Berlin, it is regarded as "feigned," UNN reports with reference to Bild.

Details

German government circles stated that similar remarks from Moscow have been heard before and that the proposed option "lacks credibility" because the Kremlin has not changed its demands toward Ukraine. If Putin is serious about negotiations, he should first proceed with a three-day ceasefire, according to the leadership of the FRG.

Schröder's office has essentially not yet commented on Putin's proposal. In response to a DPA inquiry, they only stated that the former chancellor "will not speak on this matter." Schröder has been under harsh criticism for years due to his close personal and economic ties with Russia.

Addendum

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder was already involved in unofficial negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in March 2022 and met with Putin and Ukrainian negotiators. Kyiv later assessed this mediation mission as futile.

Former Chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee Michael Roth called Putin's initiative an obvious "maneuver." Anyone who wants peace starts with a ceasefire, but instead, Putin is "promoting his personal friend as a mediator," he told Tagesspiegel journalists. This looks like an attempt at deception—a mediator "cannot simply be Putin's buddy," Roth said.

Reminder

On May 9, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that, in his opinion, the war between Russia and Ukraine is "coming to an end."

The dictator also declared his readiness to discuss new security arrangements in Europe. According to him, he considers former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to be the best partner for such negotiations.