Russia has no right to appoint a negotiator on behalf of the EU — Kallas
Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, sharply criticized the Kremlin’s proposal to appoint Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in the dialogue between Brussels and Moscow.
Before the start of the EU Council meeting on May 11, she emphasized that the former German leader is a biased figure who has defended the aggressor’s interests for years.
The head of European diplomacy stressed that it is unacceptable for an aggressor country to dictate the terms of personnel selection for international institutions.
“If we give Russia the right to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, that would not be very wise,” Callas stated, emphasizing the European Union’s autonomy.
The main argument against the German politician’s candidacy was his close and long-standing ties to the Russian energy sector.
Kallas noted that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder had long served as a “high-ranking lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies,” making his participation in the negotiations a conflict of interest.
According to the EU representative, such a proposal is a transparent manipulation by the Russian leadership to gain an advantage at the negotiating table.
“So it’s clear why Putin wants him to be (the negotiator), so that he can sit on both sides of the negotiating table,” Kallas emphasized.
The Ukrainian side also agrees with Brussels’ position that involving Schröder in the settlement process is inappropriate.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga confirmed that Kyiv does not support this candidate, as there are other worthy leaders capable of professionally representing the interests of the democratic world.
Statements about the possibility of involving Schröder came amid the Kremlin’s attempts to impose ceasefire terms favorable to itself ahead of May 9.
However, the EU considers such initiatives cynical, as Russian troops continue to attack civilian infrastructure and peaceful cities in Ukraine.
One of the European Union’s demands in the event of potential negotiations with Russia should be the withdrawal of Russian military forces from Transnistria.
Kallas urged Southeast Asian countries not to buy oil from Russia
