The Russian Foreign Ministry named the criteria for an acceptable negotiator from the European Union

An acceptable candidate for Russia to be a negotiator from the European Union (EU) could be someone who has not previously committed hostile acts or made statements against Moscow. This was announced on June 29 by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

"For us, he is a good negotiator who did not say or do anything heinous against Russia in the previous period," Galuzin said in an interview with RTVI.

He added that, most likely, such a person will appear if his services become necessary.

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On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin named former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as Europe's preferred negotiator for contacts with Moscow. Later, on May 29, he explained the candidacy of the ex-Chancellor of Germany by saying that he "can be trusted."

On June 4, the Russian leader declared that Schroeder was one of Germany's best statesmen. He also recalled the role of the former chancellor in the implementation of major energy projects between Russia and Germany, such as the Nord Stream gas pipelines. So Schroeder wanted to provide German residents with reliable and cheap energy supplies, the Russian president explained.

On June 13, Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Union of Independent Social Democrats party, called Schroeder a suitable candidate for a mediating role and representing the Russian position in Europe. He added that he had not yet heard statements from the ex-chancellor criticizing Germany's previous policy towards Russia and its consequences for the German economy.

However, the proposal to involve Schroeder in negotiations with Russia, according to the Deutschlandfunk radio station, was rejected by the current German authorities. Later, the involvement of the former German Chancellor in the negotiations was ruled out by the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas. Instead, she offered herself, which was criticized in the EU.

On June 18, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called the rejection of Schroeder's candidacy for the role of negotiator with Russia a mistake. He noted that it is necessary to return to this idea and start a dialogue.