The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has categorically rejected the appointment of former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as the EU negotiator with Russia. Kallas stated on May 11 before the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels that Schröder is a "high-ranking lobbyist for Russian state-owned enterprises," according to reports from "European Truth." This remark was made in response to a question about whether Schröder could be tasked by the EU with negotiations to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Kallas explained that it is "clear why Putin wants exactly this person – so that he essentially sits on both sides of the table." She added that the recent ceasefire, which Putin desired, was "only a very cynical pretext to protect his parade while they were actually attacking civilians in Ukraine." The EU must not grant Russia the right to determine its negotiator, Kallas stated: "If we give Russia the right to appoint the negotiator on our behalf – that would not be very wise."
The Estonian politician referred to reports that the Kremlin wants to propose the 82-year-old Schröder as a mediator between the EU and Russia. Schröder served as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and was the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Since leaving office, he has worked for Russian energy companies and has faced criticism for his close ties to Putin for years. The official German government also rejects the proposal, viewing it as an attempt to sow discord in Europe and among German politicians, as "European Truth" adds.
