European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday (May 11) rejected a suggestion by Russian President Vladimir Putin that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could represent Europe in future talks with Moscow on European security arrangements.

"If we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, you know, that would not be very wise," Kallas told reporters as she arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

As Schroeder had lobbied for Russian state companies, "he would be sitting on both sides of the table," Kallas said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (MAY 11, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS WALKING IN HALL OF EUROPA BUILDING

2. (SOUNDBITE)(English) EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF, KAJA KALLAS, SAYING:

"First, if we give the right to Russia to appoint a negotiator on our behalf, you know, that would not be very wise. And second, I think Gerhard Schroeder has been a high-level lobbyist for Russian state-owned companies. So it's clear why Putin wants him to be the person, so that actually, you know, he would be sitting on both sides of the table."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. KALLAS WALKING AWAY