Putin Meets Former German Chancellor Schröder at Kremlin as Proposed Mediator; EU and Kyiv Reject His Candidacy — Day 1,563

On June 5–6, 2026 (Day 1,563), Russian President Vladimir Putin met privately at the Kremlin with former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who has been proposed as a potential mediator between Russia and Europe in any future peace settlement. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov described the meeting as 'good and friendly' but disclosed no specifics. Schröder, who served as German Chancellor 1998–2005, has maintained close ties with Russia after leaving office — he holds senior positions at Russian state energy companies, including Rosneft, and was a longtime personal friend of Putin. The meeting occurred one day after Zelensky published his open letter challenging Putin to direct talks. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas sharply rejected Schröder as a mediator: 'It is clear why Putin wants him — he would be sitting on both sides of the table.' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv 'definitely does not support such a candidacy.' The Schröder meeting illustrated Russia's preference for back-channel diplomacy excluding Ukraine's Western supporters, in contrast to Zelensky's call for direct talks with EU leaders present. The meeting followed Putin's public rejection of Zelensky's ceasefire conditions.