Putin named former German Gerhard Schröder as his preferred mediator for talks in the Ukraine war on Saturday. This remark was met with skepticism in Berlin, as Schröder has maintained close ties to the Kremlin and has never condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
German government representatives responded cautiously to Putin's proposal, labeling it as part of a series of "false offers" from Moscow. A government official told AFP that Russia's true intentions would only become clear if an existing three-day ceasefire were extended.
Schröder, who served as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has distanced himself from most Western leaders since the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. His stance has made him a controversial figure in Germany, as he has never publicly opposed the invasion, resulting in the loss of some privileges typically afforded to former chancellors.
The discussion about potential mediators in the Ukraine war remains tense, with many voices emphasizing that any mediator must be accepted by Ukraine. Therefore, Schröder's nomination could be seen as unviable.
