European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated on 11/5 that it would be unwise to empower Russia to appoint a negotiator to represent the EU. Her comments came during a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, where the topic of a potential mediator for Russia-Ukraine negotiations was discussed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier expressed confidence that the Ukraine conflict was "coming to an end" and stated his willingness to negotiate a new security agreement for Europe. The Russian leader indicated his preference for Gerhard Schroeder, German chancellor from 1998-2005, to help initiate dialogue.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at an event in Hamburg in 10/2023. Photo: AFP

EU diplomats rejected Putin's idea, highlighting Schroeder's role as a senior lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies. Kallas emphasized this point, saying, “That is why President Putin wants the former German chancellor in this role, so he will sit on both sides of the negotiating table.”

The former German chancellor maintains close ties with President Putin and has not condemned Russia's campaign in Ukraine. He played a significant role in Russian energy projects, including the Nord Stream gas pipeline, and was a board member of the Russian oil and gas company Rosneft before leaving the position in 2022.

Germany's Minister for European Affairs Gunther Krichbaum further declared that Schroeder could not be an "honest negotiator." Minister Krichbaum commented, “He is and certainly has been greatly influenced by Mr. Putin.”

Schroeder (left) speaks with Putin, then Russian Prime Minister, in St. Petersburg in 2009. Photo: AFP

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also rejected Schroeder's potential role. However, Sybiha suggested that Europe could engage in dialogues to support US-led negotiation efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

A source familiar with the matter stated that Sybiha had proposed EU partners mediate an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other's airports. Ukraine's idea is to focus on a feasible objective rather than a comprehensive solution to end the conflict, suggesting a more pragmatic approach to de-escalation.

Austria's Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger affirmed the need for the EU to become more actively involved in negotiations with Russia and to nominate its own dialogue team. “We will decide that, not Russia,” she stated, underscoring the EU's autonomy in selecting its representatives.