Ukraine’s ambassador in Berlin strongly comments on 'mediator' Schröder
Photo: Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, said that a person with long-standing ties to the Kremlin cannot act as a mediator, according to an interview the diplomat gave to Der Spiegel.
Makeiev explained why Kyiv rejects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to appoint former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in possible peace negotiations.
"We don’t need mediators. We need allies," the ambassador emphasized.
He added that a person who for years maintained ties with the Kremlin and represented Russian interests in Germany has neither "moral nor political legitimacy" to take part in a peace process between Ukraine and Russia.
"So that he doesn’t accidentally end up sitting at the wrong table," the diplomat noted ironically.
The Ukrainian ambassador is currently accompanying German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during his visit to Kyiv.
On May 9, Vladimir Putin stated that he considers former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder a "preferred" EU candidate to take part in possible talks on ending the war against Ukraine. According to the Russian leader, the Kremlin is ready for contacts with European politicians who have not made sharp statements against Russia.
In Germany, the idea was immediately rejected. A German official said that Schröder’s candidacy as a mediator between the EU and Russia is not being considered.
Ukraine also did not support the proposal. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that Kyiv does not see Schröder as a mediator in negotiations.
