EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says Russia should not influence who represents the European Union in talks related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Her comments come after Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly suggested that former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder should serve as an EU negotiator. Kallas rejects the idea, describing Schröder as a Russian lobbyist and arguing that the EU should choose its own representatives rather than accept proposals tied to Moscow’s preferences. The issue centers on who would sit at the negotiation table and how EU roles are determined for potential talks. While Putin’s statement promotes Schröder as a suitable figure, Kallas emphasizes that the EU must remain independent in selecting negotiators and does not treat Moscow’s views as authoritative. The dispute highlights tensions around perceived political alignment, public trust, and the role of past officials in sensitive diplomatic processes involving Russia and Ukraine.