March 29, 2024 (EIRNS)—Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) believes that his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could contribute to ending the war in Ukraine. “We have worked together sensibly for many years. Perhaps this can still help to find a negotiated solution, I don’t see any other way,” said Schröder in an interview with Deutsche Presseagentur (DPA).
The Kremlin welcomed Schröder’s comments. According to Russian news agencies, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 28 that constructive relations on a personal level, such as those between Putin and Schröder, could help to solve problems. Putin and Schröder had repeatedly demonstrated that when Schröder was in office. “This helped to resolve the most difficult issues and ensure the gradual evolution of bilateral developments.”
When asked why he maintains his friendship with the Russian President despite tens of thousands of deaths and Russian war crimes in the Ukraine war, Schröder replied: “It’s true that this is a dimension that is different.” It had once looked as if this personal relationship could be helpful in solving an extremely difficult political problem. “And that’s why I think it would be completely wrong to forget all the positive things that have happened between us in politics in the past. That’s not my style and I don’t do that either.”
