EU ministers reject Putin's idea of ​​Schroeder's role in future security talks

European governments on Wednesday rejected a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder represent them in possible future talks with Moscow on the continent's security, Reuters reported.

Putin said on Saturday that he believed the war in Ukraine was nearing an end and that he would be ready to negotiate new security arrangements for Europe, with Schroeder as his preferred interlocutor.

However, foreign ministers of European Union (EU) member states, attending a meeting in Brussels, were skeptical that Russia was ready to end the war and negotiate sincerely for peace and security for Europe.

They rejected any role for Schroeder, who worked for Russian state companies and cultivated a close relationship with Putin.

"It's clear why Putin wants him to be that person - to actually... sit on both sides of the table," EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kalas told reporters.

"If we give Russia the right to appoint a negotiator on our behalf... that would not be very wise," said Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, a Baltic state that Moscow ruled as part of the Soviet Union, Reuters reports.

Asked later whether she could personally participate in such talks, Kallas said: "When a politician doesn't blow his own trumpet, the trumpet usually remains unblown. So I have to say that I think I could see through the traps that Russia is setting."

She added that there were no signs that Russia was ready to engage in good faith and that the Europeans would first have to agree on what they wanted from any negotiations.

German Europe Minister Guenter Krichbaum said Schroeder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, lacked the credibility to be an "honest mediator."

"He is, and certainly was, under the strong influence of Mr. Putin," Krichbaum said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha also dismissed Schroeder's role. But he said Europe could be involved in talks that would be "complementary" to US-led negotiations to end the war.

Sibiha did not provide details on what that might entail, except to say it could focus on "solving specific problems."

EU avoids Russia from invading Ukraine

The EU has pursued a policy of isolating Russia since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has imposed sanctions and had few high-level political and diplomatic contacts with Russia.

But with US-led talks to end the conflict making little progress while Washington focuses on the war in Iran, some European officials have called on the EU to consider direct talks with Moscow, possibly led by a special envoy, Reuters reported.

European Council President Antonio Costa said last week he was talking to other EU leaders "to organize ourselves and determine what we need" for talks with Russia when the "right moment" comes.

Kallas and several ministers said the EU should first increase pressure on Russia before considering talks or choosing a representative.

"It's not about electing someone. We need to go back to basics, and the basics are to prepare our tools to put pressure on Russia," said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said it was time for the EU to become more actively involved in talks with Russia and appoint a negotiating team.

"But we will decide on that - Russia will not decide," she said.