Germany's ruling coalition has another candidate for EU negotiator with Russia – Spiegel

Mariya Yemets, KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO - 10 May, 17:58

Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: picture alliance via Getty Images

Germany is reportedly planning to discuss the candidacy of incumbent President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the role of EU negotiator on the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: Spiegel, citing sources in the ruling coalition, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to the sources, Germany's ruling coalition is considering Steinmeier as a potential candidate for the role of EU negotiator in the peace process on the Russo-Ukrainian war and plans to discuss the matter among its MPs.

Steinmeier's term as president is drawing to a close – his successor will be elected on 30 January 2027.

The reasoning behind this is that former chancellor Schröder – whom the Kremlin chief floated as a possible EU negotiator – "does not seem capable of handling such a large task on his own, but a 'negotiating duo' of Schröder and Steinmeier could be an interesting idea".

Spiegel does not specify how broad the support for the idea of a mediator duo is, nor whether it is primarily Steinmeier's candidacy that is being considered.

Background:

Before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Steinmeier was involved in diplomatic efforts linked to the Minsk negotiation process, which aimed to establish a framework for reducing hostilities in Ukraine's east and was mediated by Germany and France alongside Ukraine and Russia.
Meanwhile, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung learned from government sources that Berlin does not regard Putin's proposal on Schröder as a negotiator as serious and sees it as an attempt to sow division in Europe and among German politicians.
Individual voices within the SPD called for the Kremlin's proposal to be seriously considered if it offers a chance to bring peace closer; at the same time, some party representatives reacted critically.
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.

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