Gerhard Schröder attends Vladimir Putin’s birthday celebration in Moscow

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday celebration in Moscow. According to the Kremlin, Putin invited Schröder to his home after learning the former leader was in the city on business. Schröder, who recently joined the supervisory board of the Russian supermarket chain Hyperglobus, was pictured smiling and shaking hands with Putin.

The visit has sparked intense condemnation within Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz described Schröder’s participation as “immoral,” citing the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine. Schröder also faced criticism from his own party, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), with co-chairman Lars Klingbeil and the Finance Minister labeling the trip unacceptable.

Schröder, who served as Chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has maintained long-standing ties to Russian industry, including previous roles with Gazprom and Rosneft. His ongoing economic connections to Russia continue to draw scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest.