Kremlin proposes Schröder as mediator
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that his friend, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, could act as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine. In an address after Saturday's military parade in Moscow, Putin said he could envisage the former SPD leader acting as an intermediary in talks with the European side. Commentators disagree.
A token offer designed to stir up trouble
The Süddeutsche Zeitung speculates on Putin's motives with his proposal:
“Putin wants to stir up trouble in Europe by pretending that he is open to talks. This is nothing new. It's like him pointing out that 'this matter' – by which he means the war – 'is nearing its end'. These words, this proposal, are the very opposite of serious, results-oriented diplomacy. And this time it's particularly easy to see through. Is there perhaps a note of desperation here? Putin certainly has every reason to make token offers. Ukraine's military position hasn't been this strong in a long time.”
Hardly a neutral broker
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung explains why Gerhard Schröder would not be a suitable mediator:
“The former German chancellor has long been on Russia's payroll. So he wouldn't be a neutral broker either between Kyiv and Moscow or between Europe and Moscow. No one in Ukraine would trust him, and nor should anyone in Europe. Schröder is Putin's man: the fact that, after leaving office, he chose to accept (substantial) sums of money from Russia disqualifies him as a diplomat today.”
Right to question sincerity
Putin may say he is ready for talks, but as La Repubblica explains, the EU is right not to take him by his word:
“[Putin's] message has raised many doubts and concerns in Brussels. ... The EU's institutional leaders do not believe that this is 'the right moment' to talk with Putin. It is clear that very few people in the capitals of the Old Continent are convinced that the Russian leader is sincere. In fact, the most widely held view is that this move is primarily intended to buy time at a moment of extreme difficulty, both in terms of domestic politics and on the military front in Ukraine.”