Ukraine has expressed its disapproval of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder being considered as the European Union’s negotiator with Russia. This stance was confirmed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during a press briefing in Brussels.
Prior to a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on May 11, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, remarked on Schröder’s controversial ties, noting his role as a prominent lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies.
Kallas stated, “If we allow Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, it would not be a wise decision. It is clear why Putin wants him at the table, effectively having him sit on both sides.”
Schröder served as Germany’s Chancellor from 1998 to 2005. He has been under scrutiny for his leadership roles in Russian energy firms, having chaired the board of directors for Rosneft since 2017 and being nominated to Gazprom’s board in February 2022.
On May 19, the European Parliament voted in favor of sanctions against Schröder, while the German Bundestag stripped him of certain privileges. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed calls from the European Parliament to impose sanctions due to Schröder’s connections with Russia. Schröder resigned from Rosneft on May 20.
On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Schröder as the best candidate for the role of negotiator between the EU and Russia.
Ukraine firmly opposes Gerhard Schröder's potential role as the EU's negotiator with Russia, citing his close ties to Russian energy interests. The situation reflects broader concerns within the EU regarding the implications of appointing someone with such a controversial background.