Russia: Putin Receives Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for Private Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin received former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in Moscow for a private meeting, described by a Kremlin official as a "good conversation." The encounter, held in the Kremlin, has fueled speculation about Schröder's potential role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that the discussion was "under four eyes," meaning its specific content remains undisclosed. However, he confirmed the meeting occurred and characterized it as "friendly." Ushakov did not directly address questions about whether prospects for negotiations between Russia and the EU were discussed.

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Yes, they met – it was a good conversation.

Putin himself had previously named Schröder as his preferred European mediator for ending the Ukraine war. Schröder, a long-time personal friend of Putin and a former leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), has maintained ties to Russia, including past work for Russian energy firms. His potential mediation role has been met with skepticism in Brussels and Berlin, with some officials questioning his impartiality given his past business dealings.

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Personally, I prefer the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schröder.