day 163 of war in Ukraine.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants a “negotiated solution” in Ukraine and has insisted on activate the Nord Stream 2 gas pipelinewhose entry into operation was suspended due to the conflict.

“The good news is that the Kremlin wants a negotiated solution”affirmed the social democratic politician, in an exclusive interview with the weekly “Stern”, where he also confirms that he had held a new meeting with Putin in Moscow last week.

Schröder describes as “successful” the agreement reached to unblock Ukrainian cereal exports and points out that “perhaps it is time to start working to achieve a truce.”

The former chancellor, in power between 1998 and 2005, maintains that Germany and its government have a “special responsibility” in the search for that solution and considers that the current Executive “is not doing enough” in that direction.

Schröder also considers that the second gas pipeline should be put into operation, the Nord Stream 2, to solve the current problems of Russian gas supply.

This gas pipeline was put on hold, by decision of the current government of Foreign Minister Olaf Scholz, as a result of Moscow’s recognition of the self-proclaimed separatist republics in eastern Ukraine and the beginning of the invasion of that country.

Schröder is strongly questioned from Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) for his past and present links with Putin, which the former chancellor defends and considers there is no reason to break.