Former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been named by Vladimir Putin as his preferred mediator for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a proposal that has been swiftly dismissed by European officials who question his impartiality.
Putin's Offer
Speaking over the weekend, Putin hinted that the war in Ukraine might be nearing an end and expressed openness to reopening communication lines with Ukraine and Europe. He specifically named Schröder as his choice to mediate, stating, "For me personally, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Schröder, is preferable."
European reaction was immediate and skeptical. A German government spokesperson said Berlin saw no signs of Moscow's genuine interest in negotiations, especially after both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations.
Who Is Gerhard Schröder?
Now 82, Schröder served as Germany's chancellor from 1998 to 2005. Rising from poverty through night school and various jobs, he became a lawyer before entering politics as a Marxist and environmentalist. He rose through the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to end Helmut Kohl's 16-year chancellorship in 1998.
In office, Schröder focused on domestic economic reforms, including welfare and labour changes, while phasing out nuclear power and tying Germany's energy needs to Russian fossil fuels—a decision that later proved problematic after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Internationally, he kept Germany out of the Iraq War but committed troops to NATO missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
After losing office in 2005, Schröder remained active in Russian energy projects, joining the board of Rosneft and supporting the Nord Stream pipelines. He maintained close ties with Putin and refused to condemn the war, damaging his popularity in Germany.
Links to Putin
Schröder cultivated a warm relationship with Putin during his chancellorship, calling him a "flawless democrat" in 2004 and approving the first Nord Stream pipeline. He attended Putin's birthday in Moscow in 2014, months after the annexation of Crimea, and later joined the board of Nord Stream 2, which was damaged in 2022.
European Rejection
European officials unanimously dismissed Schröder as a potential mediator. Michael Roth, former SPD lawmaker and foreign affairs committee chair, said a mediator "cannot be Putin's buddy." Germany's Europe minister, Gunther Krichbaum, argued Schröder lacked the credentials to be an "honest broker," noting his close friendship with Putin undermines impartiality.
Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsahkna called Schröder "a Putin idea" and insisted he "won't be representing Europe." EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that letting Russia appoint a negotiator on Europe's behalf would be unwise, especially since Schröder had lobbied for Russian state companies, placing him on both sides of the table.
