Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a controversial figure long criticized for his closeness to Russia, has been named by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a potential European mediator in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. Schröder, a Social Democrat, served as chancellor from 1998 to 2005.

During his tenure, Schröder's Russia-friendly foreign policy was not unusual among German politicians. Successive leaders, including Angela Merkel, Olaf Scholz, and current President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, all fostered closer ties with Moscow through projects like the Nord Stream gas pipelines.

However, Schröder's unwavering support for Russia despite its aggression against Ukraine has set him apart. The 82-year-old has become estranged from Berlin's political establishment and his own party, which attempted to expel him. He has maintained a personal friendship with Putin since becoming chancellor.

After leaving office, Schröder faced criticism for his deep involvement with Russian state-owned energy companies. He approved the first Nord Stream pipeline in 2005 and later joined the board of Nord Stream 2. In 2022, he traveled to Moscow to meet Putin for a "negotiated resolution" in Ukraine, a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called "disgusting."

In a 2024 interview, Schröder argued that negotiations with Putin might be the only way to end the war, saying "it is obvious that the war cannot end with the total defeat of one side or the other." He also urged Germany to restart imports of Russian energy, despite the conflict.

Source: www.dw.com