Germany has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could help broker future peace talks between Russia and the

European Union over the war in Ukraine.

The proposal emerged after European Council President Antonio Costa said there was still “potential” for dialogue between the EU and Moscow, including discussions on Europe’s future security framework. Putin responded by naming Schroeder as his preferred intermediary should negotiations move forward.

Berlin, however, signaled deep skepticism. A German official told Reuters that Moscow had shown no indication it was prepared to alter its demands regarding Ukraine, casting doubt on the seriousness of the Kremlin’s diplomatic overtures.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said any meaningful test of Russia’s intentions would begin with a willingness to extend a temporary three-day ceasefire. Instead, Berlin views Putin’s latest proposal as part of a broader effort to sow divisions among Western allies.

Schroeder remains one of Germany’s most controversial political figures due to his longstanding ties with Russia. Shortly after leaving office in 2005, he accepted a leadership role in a Russian-backed gas pipeline consortium, a move that drew sustained criticism at home and intensified after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A German government spokesperson reiterated on Friday that Berlin sees no evidence Moscow is genuinely pursuing serious negotiations. The spokesperson added that any potential talks involving the European Union would require close coordination with both EU member states and Ukraine. Photo by Henning Schlottmann (User:H-stt), Wikimedia commons.