Germany's social democrats considering former chancellor Schröder as EU negotiator with Russia

A number of representatives from Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) are open to a proposal by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin to appoint former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as an EU negotiator on the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: SPD representatives in comments to Spiegel and Tagesspiegel, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Adis Ahmetović, SPD foreign policy spokesman in the Bundestag, believes that Putin's proposal to appoint Schröder as a negotiator "deserves serious consideration".

"We cannot allow only the US and Russia to decide the future of Ukraine and European security on their own. Our goal must be to have a seat at the negotiating table. And if one of the conditions for this is the involvement of the former chancellor, then this deserves careful consideration, in close consultation with our European partners, and should not be categorically dismissed," Ahmetović commented.

Ralf Stegner, SPD foreign policy expert, also said that Putin's proposal regarding Schröder is worth discussing.

"I welcome any initiative that could help bring the war to an end... If someone like Schröder can influence this – it would be wrong to reject it," Stegner commented.

"If we do not want Putin and Trump to decide Ukraine's future on their own, we need to use every opportunity, however small," Stegner added, stressing that nothing can be agreed upon without Ukraine's consent.

Former faction leader Rolf Mützenich reacted more cautiously, noting that "it would be strange if a negotiator were appointed by one of the warring parties". However, he stressed that "all those who do not want to leave the matter to Putin and Trump" must seek ways to ensure that the EU also becomes a participant in the negotiating process. He also welcomed the increasing number of people supporting this approach.

Michael Roth, former chair of the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, reacted critically.

"This does not look like a serious diplomatic proposal, but rather an attempt to feign a willingness to talk – and to sow new divisions in Europe," Roth said, adding that a mediator in the negotiating process "cannot be a friend of Putin".

"It is important that this candidate also be acceptable to Ukraine. Neither Moscow nor we can decide on behalf of Kyiv," he said in a comment to Tagesspiegel, stressing that "those who are seriously seeking peace should start with a ceasefire".

Background:

• On 9 May, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said he considers Schröder the best candidate for the role of negotiator between the EU and Russia.
• Schröder's office noted that he does not wish to comment on the matter.
• Gerhard Schröder, 82, served as chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005 and led the SPD from 1999 to 2004. After leaving office, he worked for years in Russian energy companies and is still regarded as a close associate of Putin.
• Following the start of the full-scale war, he did not distance himself from the Kremlin. Schröder met Putin in Moscow several weeks after the invasion began and again in July 2022. After each meeting, he claimed that Russia was interested in ending the war.
• Against this backdrop, members of the SPD have repeatedly but unsuccessfully raised the issue of expelling Schröder from the party.
• Reports also indicated that Schröder was not invited to the SPD's 160th anniversary celebrations in 2023, partly because he visited the Russian embassy for the Victory Day commemorations. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]
• In January 2026, Schröder advocated resuming energy cooperation with Russia and urged people not to demonise Russia despite its aggression against Ukraine.

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