Stepashin named the qualities of a possible mediator in negotiations between Russia and the West

A mediator in the negotiations between Russia and the West can be a person with absolute authority. This was announced on June 6 by former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin.

"A man who enjoys absolute authority," he told RIA Novosti, answering the relevant question.

In addition, Stepashin assessed the chances of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to mediate in the negotiations.

"I mentioned the name of the President of Germany. The one who signed it in 2014, guaranteeing a free and democratic world in May 2014. Let him apologize. But I think he won't agree," Stepashin said.

Superfluous EU: Brussels is not ready to resume dialogue with Russia on Ukraine

The Russian Federation does not refuse to negotiate with Europe, but demands respect for the interests of the country.

On May 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin nominated former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder as Europe's preferred negotiator for contacts with Moscow.

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

On May 29, Putin, answering a question from Izvestia, clarified that the EU negotiator should be chosen by his representatives themselves, as they do it for themselves.