Germany sceptical on Putin's suggestion of Schroeder role in Ukraine peace talks

BERLIN, May 10 (Reuters) - Germany dismissed on Sunday a suggestion from Russian President Vladimir Putin that former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder ​could coordinate talks with the European Union ‌to secure a peace deal in Ukraine.

European Council President Antonio Costa said recently he believed there was “potential” for the EU ​to negotiate with Russia, and to discuss ​the future of the security architecture of Europe. ⁠Putin said that if such talks were to ​take place, Schroeder would be his preferred mediator.

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A German ​official said the offer was not credible because Russia had not changed any of its conditions, adding that an initial test would ​be whether Moscow was willing to extend a ​three-day ceasefire.

The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of ‌anonymity, ⁠said Putin had made a series of bogus offers aimed at dividing the Western alliance.

After leaving office in 2005, Schroeder almost immediately took a job as ​chairman of a ​controversial German-Russian ⁠gas pipeline consortium and has faced heavy criticism in Germany for his closeness ​to Putin.

A German government spokesperson said on ​Friday ⁠Berlin saw no signs that Moscow was interested in serious negotiations and stressed that any talks with the ⁠European ​Union would need to be ​closely coordinated with member states and Ukraine.

Reporting by Holger Hansen and Markus ​Wacket; writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Ros Russell

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