Schröder meets Putin in the Kremlin for private conversation – German government holds back

The German government appeared conspicuously reserved. The Federal Foreign Office stated that it was "not involved" in the conversation. The government, according to the report, did not want to make a statement on the content or assessment of the meeting. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the German embassy in Moscow was informed in advance.

German government strictly abstains

According to information from Tagesspiegel, Schröder apparently did not travel to Moscow on behalf of the German government. The government had not issued any mandate and saw the meeting as a private initiative of the former chancellor, the report continued. This means the question of an official mediator role does not arise – even if the trip could have political implications.

SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner welcomed the conversation but warned against exaggerated expectations. "Regardless of what one thinks of Gerhard Schröder, everyone must acknowledge: it is more of an opportunity than a risk when former Chancellor Schröder talks to President Putin," Stegner said. At the same time, he asked: "What harm can such a private conversation do? Whether it will be beneficial in the end is hard to estimate today."

Stegner: Mediator, not negotiator

Stegner, a former SPD deputy leader, pointed to Schröder's special position among European politicians. "Who else in Germany has access to Putin? We can be glad that the line between Schröder and Putin still works," he said. However, he clarified: "Schröder cannot be a negotiator for the West. But of course, he can be a mediator to Putin."

At the same time, Stegner defended his party colleague against criticism: "I am sure: Schröder was not in the Kremlin to congratulate Putin on this terrible war or to flatter him." Schröder is no longer an active politician, so he makes no decisions. "The outrage of the usual suspects about Schröder does not move anything forward, nor does it help Ukraine," Stegner said.

Officially, nothing was said from the Kremlin about the content of the discussion between Schröder and Putin. Ushakov merely stated that the meeting had been "friendly." Observers view the conversation as a signal in a phase where Moscow and Brussels have few direct contacts.

Skepticism in Brussels and Berlin

The background to the attention is Putin's statement from May, in which he "personally prefers" the former Chancellor as a candidate for reviving dialogue with Europe. "Personally, I prefer the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Schröder," Putin said at the time. However, the proposal met with skepticism in Brussels and Berlin.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, for example, stated that it was "clear" why Putin preferred Schröder as a mediator – and referred to Schröder's previous work as a lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) rejected interference in the question of who speaks for Europe. "We Europeans decide for ourselves who speaks for us. Nobody else," Merz said in mid-May. At the same time, he expressed doubts about Russia's actual willingness to negotiate.

Background: Schröder's special relationship with Putin

Schröder, who maintained ties to the Russian energy sector after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, has long been considered a personal confidant of Putin. Whether the private conversation will have concrete effects on the stalled relations between Russia and the EU remained open on Saturday. No further details were released from the Kremlin or Berlin.