Kallas and Kyiv reject Schröder’s candidacy as EU negotiator with Russia

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha have spoken out against the appointment of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as the European Union’s negotiator in possible talks with Russia.

Kallas addressed the issue in Brussels ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, responding to journalists’ questions. She objected not only to Schröder’s candidacy specifically, but also to the very principle of Russia being able to influence the choice of negotiator from the European side.

“If we give Russia the right to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, that would not be very wise,” Kallas said.

The EU High Representative described Schröder as a “high-ranking lobbyist for Russian state companies” and explained Moscow’s logic in promoting his candidacy.

“So it is understandable why Putin wants him to be that person — to effectively sit on both sides of the negotiating table,” she concluded.

Kallas also said that a discussion on negotiations with Russia would take place within the EU at the end of May.

Ukraine also did not support Schröder’s candidacy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who is in Brussels, stated this in a comment to Suspilne.

According to German media, there is consideration of sending German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the negotiations alongside Schröder. The day before, the German government had already spoken out against Schröder’s candidacy, calling the option “not credible.”