Former German Chancellor Schröder Emerges as Putin's Key European Ally, Rejected by Ukraine and EU

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has become Vladimir Putin's most important European ally, drawing rejection from both Ukraine and the European Union. The once-powerful Social Democratic leader has transformed from a respected statesman into a controversial figure whose pro-Russian rhetoric now embarrasses even his own party colleagues. Schröder's close personal relationship with Putin, which reportedly includes shared sauna visits, has positioned him as an unofficial negotiator despite his lack of formal diplomatic status. His alignment with Moscow has effectively ended his political influence in mainstream European politics, marking a dramatic fall from his previous role as one of Germany's most prominent post-war chancellors.