"Putin said he would personally prefer Schroeder, who led Germany from 1998 to 2005 and has remained close to the Kremlin leader since leaving office. A day later, the Russian leader said the four-year-old war may be coming to an end, adding that he was ready to hold direct talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Moscow or a neutral country. Speaking after Saturday's celebrations for Victory Day, which marks Russia's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 at the end of World War II, Putin added he would be willing to meet Zelenskyy only once the terms of a peace agreement had already been settled."
"Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could coordinate talks with the European Union to secure a peace deal in Ukraine a proposal met with scepticism by EU officials. European Council President Antonio Costa said recently he believed there was potential for the EU to negotiate with Russia and to discuss the future of Europe's security architecture. Asked on Saturday whom he would like to see restarting talks with Europe, Putin said he would personally prefer Schroeder."
"Russia had announced a unilateral two-day ceasefire on May 8-9 to mark Victory Day, while Zelenskyy countered it with his own proposed pause in fighting starting earlier, on the night of May 5-6. As part of a broader Washington-led push for peace, United States President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day pause in the conflict, but both sides have since accused the other of breaking it. As US-backed peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow stall, here is a look at who Schroeder is and whether he could be a trustworthy mediator."
"The 82-year-old leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) served as Germany's chancellor from 1998 to 2005, focusing his political goals on European integration, reducing unemployment, liberalising German citizenship laws, curbing nuclear power and rebuilding the economy."
Putin suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could coordinate talks with the European Union to secure a peace deal in Ukraine. EU officials responded with skepticism. European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU could negotiate with Russia and discuss Europe’s security architecture. Putin said he would personally prefer Schroeder and noted Schroeder’s close ties to the Kremlin. Putin also said the war may be nearing an end and he was ready to hold direct talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow or a neutral country, but only after peace agreement terms are settled. Russia announced a Victory Day ceasefire, while Ukraine proposed an earlier pause. A US-led pause was announced, and both sides accused each other of breaking it.
#russia-ukraine-peace-talks #gerhard-schroeder #eu-russia-relations #ceasefires-and-negotiations #european-security-architecture
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