Putin Proposes Schröder as Mediator Amid EU's Cautious Stance on Ukraine-Russia Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently suggested that the war in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion, stating, "I believe that the matter is coming to an end." He proposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator for peace talks, highlighting their close friendship. Putin expressed his preference for talks with Schröder over other European politicians and indicated a willingness to engage in direct discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — but only in Moscow or after a peace agreement is established.

Schröder, Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has been a controversial figure due to his longstanding ties to Russia and his roles in Russian energy companies. While he condemned Russia's invasion as violating international law, he also opposed the demonization of Russia and called for the resumption of energy supplies. This dual stance has drawn criticism in Germany.

Meanwhile, the European Union remains cautious about initiating dialogue with Russia. Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, emphasized that the EU will speak with Russia "at the right time" to address common security issues but that the moment for talks has not yet arrived. EU leaders continue to discuss appointing a special envoy for negotiations with Putin, with Ursula von der Leyen considered a possibility. However, according to an EU diplomat, Moscow currently shows no willingness to engage in serious peace talks, such as ceasefires or fair agreements.

The EU supports the US-led peace process efforts, reflecting skepticism about Russia's intentions. Discussions also reveal that the EU plans preparations for possible future negotiations, acknowledging the complexity of the situation after cutting off contacts with Moscow post-2022 invasion.

The recent Victory Day parade in Moscow proceeded amid a temporary ceasefire brokered by former US President Donald Trump, although both Russian and Ukrainian sides accused each other of violating the truce. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico attended the celebrations and defended his presence, calling for renewed Europe-Russia cooperation despite criticism from other EU nations.

Germany's ambassador to Russia, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, responded skeptically to Putin's statement on the war's end, stressing that action must accompany such declarations.