Putin Suggests Ex-Chancellor Schröder as Mediator in Ukraine War

In a significant diplomatic overture following the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a surprising proposal: the involvement of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Putin, speaking at an extraordinary press conference, explicitly stated his preference for Schröder, a long-standing personal friend, over other European political figures. This suggestion, reported by Die Zeit, positions Schröder as a potential bridge between Russia and the West, despite the complex and often fraught nature of international relations surrounding the war.

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Of all the European politicians, I would prefer talks with Schröder.

Schröder, who served as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has maintained a close relationship with Putin for years. This friendship, however, has placed him in a controversial position, particularly within his own party and Germany, due to his past and present activities with Russian energy giants like Gazprom. Despite the criticism, Schröder has not remained silent on the conflict. He recently described Russia's actions in Ukraine as a violation of international law but simultaneously cautioned against the complete 'demonization' of Russia, advocating for continued energy ties.

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If someone wants to help, we are grateful.

Putin's proposal highlights a potential avenue for dialogue, albeit one fraught with the complexities of Schröder's personal and professional entanglements. The Russian president also reiterated his willingness to engage in direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but with the condition that any meeting must take place in Moscow, or elsewhere only after a long-term peace agreement is reached. Zelenskyy, however, has ruled out traveling to Moscow. The Victory Day parade itself proceeded without incident, with anticipated drone attacks from Ukraine not materializing, underscoring the current, albeit tense, security situation.

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I am also against the demonization of Russia as an eternal enemy.