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Putin's surprise proposal sparks backlash across Europe
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as the European Union's lead negotiator in peace talks over the war in Ukraine, a suggestion that has been swiftly and unanimously rejected by European and Ukrainian leaders. The proposal, made during Putin's Victory Day speech on May 9, 2026, comes as a US-brokered three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine shows signs of strain.
Speaking at the scaled-down military parade on Moscow's Red Square, Putin claimed the conflict in Ukraine is 'coming to its end' and suggested that Schröder, who served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005, would be the ideal person to represent Europe in negotiations over new security arrangements. The 82-year-old former SPD leader has maintained unusually close ties with Putin since leaving office, taking on lucrative roles in Russian state-owned energy companies including Nord Stream AG, Rosneft, and Gazprom.
Europe united in rejection
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was among the first to dismiss the proposal. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Kallas said: 'If we give Russia the right to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, that would not be wise.' She noted that Schröder, having worked as a 'high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies', would effectively be 'sitting on both sides of the table.'
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, also in Brussels for the EU meetings, stated unequivocally that Schröder is 'absolutely not' acceptable as a peace negotiator. He argued there are many more suitable candidates and called for additional sanctions against Russia, which he said are having a tangible effect on Moscow's war effort.
Germany's Europe Minister Anna Lührmann echoed these sentiments, stating: 'Schröder has not exactly shown in the past that he is capable of acting as a neutral mediator. He is, and was at least in the past, strongly influenced by Putin.' The close friendship between Schröder and Putin makes him unsuitable as an impartial negotiator, she added.
German officials call it a 'bogus offer'
German government sources described Putin's proposal as part of 'a series of bogus offers' from Russia, noting that Moscow has not changed any of its conditions for peace. A senior German official told Reuters that the real test of Russia's sincerity would be whether it extends the three-day ceasefire beyond May 11. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called Putin's peace remarks a likely 'deception' as part of his hybrid war strategy.
However, not all German politicians were entirely dismissive. Some members of Schröder's Social Democratic Party (SPD) urged caution, arguing that Europe should seize every opportunity for peace. SPD foreign policy expert Adis Ahmetovic said the proposal should be 'carefully considered' with European partners, while former SPD lawmaker Michael Roth countered that a mediator 'cannot be Putin's buddy' and must be acceptable to Ukraine.
The EU response to Russian peace proposals has been a point of contention among member states, with some advocating for more direct engagement despite widespread skepticism.
Putin's shifting rhetoric on peace talks
Wessel de Jong, a foreign correspondent covering the developments, noted that Putin's willingness to even mention negotiations with Europe marks a shift. Previously, the Russian president insisted on dealing only with the United States, bypassing European leaders entirely. Putin also expressed openness to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a third country, a departure from his earlier demand that any meeting take place in Moscow and only after a peace agreement is reached.
Nevertheless, high-ranking Kremlin officials have cautioned that a final agreement could still take a long time and that no concrete timeline for negotiations has been set. De Jong observed: 'What Putin literally says is: "I think the matter is coming to an end." It is difficult to draw conclusions from that. He suggests that Europe might give up its support for Ukraine, but he is not saying that he will stop the war. He is ultimately the only one who can decide that.'
The role of former Western leaders in Ukraine diplomacy has become a recurring theme, as various figures have attempted to mediate between the warring parties with mixed results.
Ceasefire under strain
The three-day ceasefire brokered by former US President Donald Trump, which coincided with Russia's Victory Day commemorations, appeared to be fraying on its final day. Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violations. Ukraine reported one civilian killed and 19 wounded across multiple regions from Russian drone and artillery strikes. Russia's Defense Ministry, in turn, accused Kyiv of over 1,000 ceasefire breaches and said its forces had 'responded in kind.'
The truce, which also included a prisoner exchange, was always considered fragile given the deep mistrust between the two sides after more than four years of full-scale war. Previous ceasefires have collapsed amid mutual recriminations. The Russian military has been fighting in Ukraine longer than the Soviet army fought in World War II (1941-1945), which Russia calls the Great Patriotic War.
Analysts suggest that the 2025 Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations set a precedent for the current difficulties, as previous attempts at a lasting settlement have repeatedly failed.
What happens next?
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to discuss the bloc's own proposal for a peace negotiator, rejecting Putin's pick. Kallas has stated that Moscow must make concessions, such as withdrawing troops from Moldova, for the EU to consider direct talks with Putin. The issue will be further debated at the Gymnich meeting in Cyprus at the end of May.
Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Moscow soon to continue mediation efforts. Ukraine's President Zelensky has emphasized that negotiations with Putin are only possible after security guarantees for Ukraine are secured.
The coming days will reveal whether the ceasefire can be extended or if fighting will resume in full force. For now, Europe stands united in its rejection of Putin's chosen mediator, but the question of who should represent the EU in any future peace talks remains unanswered.
FAQ
Why did Putin propose Gerhard Schröder as EU negotiator?
Putin proposed Schröder because of their long-standing personal friendship and Schröder's extensive business ties to Russian state-owned energy companies. Analysts believe Putin sees Schröder as someone sympathetic to Russian interests who could potentially divide European unity on Ukraine.
Why did Europe reject Schröder as a mediator?
European and Ukrainian leaders rejected Schröder because his close ties to Putin and his roles in Russian energy companies make him unable to act as a neutral, impartial mediator. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted he would be 'sitting on both sides of the table.'
What is the status of the US-brokered ceasefire?
The three-day ceasefire, which ran from May 9-11, 2026, has been violated by both sides according to mutual accusations. Ukraine reported casualties from Russian strikes while Russia claimed over 1,000 Ukrainian breaches. The truce's extension remains uncertain.
Is Putin serious about peace negotiations?
While Putin stated the war is 'coming to its end,' European officials view his remarks with skepticism, calling them part of 'a series of bogus offers.' Kremlin officials have indicated that a final agreement could still take a long time, and Moscow has not changed its core demands.
Who could replace Schröder as EU negotiator?
The EU has not yet named an alternative candidate. EU foreign ministers are discussing potential representatives, with the condition that any mediator must be acceptable to both Ukraine and EU member states. The bloc insists on choosing its own negotiator rather than accepting one proposed by Russia.
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