Gerhard Schröder's office on Sunday refused to comment after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would like the former German chancellor as a possible European mediator in peace talks to end the Ukraine war . Putin told reporters on Saturday: "Of all European politicians, I would prefer talks with Schröder." Speaking at the end of Victory Day celebrations, the Russian leader also said he thought the four-year conflict with Ukraine  was heading toward an end . In response to a question from