Schröder reports on Putin meetings – and brushes off distance criticism: “Would that really do anything?”

Created: 08/04/2022 05:13

By: Franziska Schwarz

Archive photo from 2009: Gerhard Schröder (left) and Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg © Alexey Druzhinin/AFP

With his closeness to the Kremlin boss Putin, the former chancellor lost a lot of respect, especially during the Ukraine war - but as a private person he can't end the conflict, Schröder now says.

Berlin - Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) met Vladimir Putin again during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and still sees no reason to distance himself from the Kremlin chief.

“I have repeatedly condemned the war, you know that.

and RTL/ntv

published on August 3 .

"Do I have to jump over every stick that is held out to me?

I'm not like that," Schröder explained when asked about distancing himself from Putin.

"I made decisions there, and I stand by them, and I made it clear: maybe I can be useful again.

So why should I apologize, ”added Schröder, pointing out that he received approval from Germany.

"I also get a lot of letters from Germany that say: It's good that there is still someone who is keeping channels of communication open with Russia in the current conflict."

Schröder was in Moscow last week.

"The good news is that the Kremlin wants a negotiated solution," was Schröder's conclusion.

"I think this war is a mistake by the Russian government," the 78-year-old made clear.

Schröder meets Putin - and is in favor of operating Nord Stream 2

It was "a big mistake to denigrate possible concessions by Ukraine as a Russian "dictated peace" in advance," Schröder continued.

The really relevant problems can be solved, including a compromise for the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbass and the question of a possible “armed neutrality” for Ukraine as an alternative to NATO membership.

Schröder sees a special responsibility in Germany and France to help bring the war to an end.

"There's not enough happening at the moment, that's my impression, because one thing is clear: it won't work without talks."

In the interview, Schröder advocates putting the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline, which has been put on hold, into operation.

The former Chancellor is President of the Board of Directors there.

According to Schröder, that would be the "simplest solution" in the event of possible gas bottlenecks.

Ukraine-Russia negotiations: Schröder praises Erdogan

Schröder expressly praised the mediation efforts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: "The Turks were very helpful, just as they are currently very helpful in the negotiations on grain deliveries." However, Schröder qualified the position of the US government under President Joe Biden : "But it won't work without a yes from Washington", s

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There are "real fears of encirclement in Russia, which are fed by history," said Schröder, adding: "And unfortunately they are justified."

Schröder meets Putin in Moscow - SPD party exclusion process follows

Schröder had already traveled to Moscow in early March and had spoken to Putin about the Ukraine war.

Even afterwards he reported that Putin was interested in a negotiated solution.

A party expulsion procedure is currently underway against Schröder because of his closeness to Putin and his commitment to Russian state-owned companies.

A total of 17 corresponding applications from district and local associations had been received from the SPD.