Will Angela Merkel end Russia's invasion of Ukraine? Media: is being considered for a mediator

Ashley Davis12/05/2026

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According to the Spiegel newspaper, the name of the former German chancellor appears in talks about a possible mediator who could help end Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Schroeder's successor speaks Russian, knows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin personally — and being politically retired, she would have time for mediation.

With his proposal to engage Schroeder, Putin hit a sensitive spot among Europeans. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas immediately made it clear that it “would not be very wise” to let the Russians impose a negotiator. However, the debate about who could conduct such talks has not subsided.

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Opinions are divided on who should mediate. The head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, said that whoever ultimately plays the role of mediator must receive “broad support at European level, especially from Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries.”

Merkel has a credibility problem

Many countries observe German policy towards Russia with distrust. As head of government, Merkel pushed through the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project despite sharp criticism from Poland and the Baltic countries.

She also played a key role in the 2014 and 2015 Minsk agreements, which failed to prevent a Russian invasion in 2022. Merkel's office told the Spiegel newspaper that there were “no requests for the former chancellor” to act as a mediator. However, when asked whether Merkel could imagine taking on such a role, there was no denial.

Ashley Davis12/05/2026

0 45 1 minute read