EU Rejects Putin's Proposal to Use Schröder as Ukraine War Mediator

The European Union has firmly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to use former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in peace negotiations over the Ukraine war. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas warned against Russian influence in any potential talks, emphasizing that Moscow cannot dictate who represents European interests in diplomatic efforts. The proposal has encountered strong resistance in Brussels, with EU officials maintaining that the bloc must retain control over selecting its own representatives in any future negotiations. Schröder, who served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has maintained controversial ties to Russia and has faced criticism for his business relationships with Russian energy companies even after the invasion of Ukraine began.