Steinmeier emerges as possible German mediator in EU-Russia talks
Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s presidential term expires in several months. (Photo: REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen)
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed
that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder coordinate talks between the EU
and Russia on a peace deal, but another name has also reportedly emerged —
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Spiegel
reported on May 10, citing its own sources.
The outlet said such a scenario remains unlikely for now,
but some in Germany’s governing coalition believe “a mediation duo of Schröder
and Steinmeier could be an interesting option.”
Steinmeier would reportedly be brought in to bolster
Schröder, since the former chancellor is unlikely to handle a task as complex
as peace talks on his own, Spiegel’s sources said.
Steinmeier’s term as federal president expires in several
months. His successor is to be elected by the Federal Convention on Jan. 30,
2027.
Putin earlier told Russian propagandists what he wanted in a
European Union negotiator for talks with Russia on a peace agreement in
Russia’s war against Ukraine. The main requirement, Putin said, was that the
candidate “had not said anything nasty” about Russia. In the Kremlin dictator’s
view, Schröder fit the bill.
Schröder served as Germany’s chancellor from 1998 to 2005
and led the SPD, the Social Democratic Party, from 1999 to 2004. After leaving
office, he spent years working for Russian energy companies and is still
considered a friend of Putin.
Reuters later reported, citing an anonymous German official,
that Berlin had rejected Putin’s proposal for Schröder to serve as mediator in
the talks.
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