Putin’s reference to former Chancellor Schröder potentially serving as a mediator is a ploy by which the Russian president is attempting to politically divide Europeans. Even in Moscow, it is clear that Schröder does not enjoy the political trust necessary to conduct negotiations in Ukraine and many other European countries. German business representatives and the AfD delegation in St. Petersburg are also being deliberately used by Russian propaganda to influence German domestic politics.
At the same time, it is becoming clear that Putin is unwilling to enter into serious negotiations with a European head of government. For Putin, it is clear that the Donbas must first be conquered, and only then can one consider negotiating.
In light of this refusal to engage, the EU’s diplomatic initiatives must already be closely coordinated with Ukraine, and a suitable negotiator must be selected—even if diplomatic success is currently unlikely.