German Media: Putin Names Schröder to Mediate Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire – Germany and EU Reject
After Russian President Putin proposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as an intermediary to mediate a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, both the European Union and the German government have clearly rejected the idea. On Monday, Germany's Defense Minister traveled overnight by train to Kyiv for a visit.
Sunday’s report from *Süddeutsche Zeitung* cited sources within the Berlin government stating that, on the issue of the war in Ukraine, negotiation is currently not credible because Russia has not altered its set conditions. This proposal is yet another "false suggestion" from Moscow, part of its broader "hybrid strategy," and Germany and Europe will certainly not be divided by it.
During a press conference on the 9th, when asked about his preferred EU figure to lead ceasefire negotiations, Putin specifically named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas also stated it would be unwise to allow Russia to designate the EU’s negotiation intermediaries. She noted that Schröder had long served as a high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned enterprises, saying, "It’s not hard to understand why Putin would want him in this role—because in effect, he would be sitting at both sides of the negotiating table."
Schröder, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), served as Germany’s Chancellor from 1998 to 2005 and is one of the few close friends Putin has in the Western world; the two have enjoyed a strong personal relationship over many years. After stepping down as Chancellor, Schröder held high-paying positions in several Russian energy companies. It is precisely this connection that has drawn sharp criticism toward the former German leader.
On Monday, May 11, Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made an unscheduled visit to Kyiv, aiming to strengthen German-Ukrainian partnership—particularly in the field of unmanned weapon systems development.
He emphasized that the focus of German-Ukrainian military cooperation lies in "jointly developing advanced unmanned systems covering full range—especially in deep-strike capabilities." He also affirmed that the German government is committed to establishing more joint ventures with Ukraine and creating platforms for collaboration on innovative technologies. He believes Germany "will benefit from the battlefield experience accumulated by Ukrainians."
Source: DW
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864953614986316/
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