Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Former German Leader Schroeder Draws Outrage After Putin Birthday Visit
Former German leader Gerhard Schroeder went to Vladimir Putin’s home for Putin’s birthday, according to the Kremlin.
The Kremlin said Schroeder was in Moscow for business connected to Globus.
Schroeder recently took a role with Russian supermarket company Hyperglobus.
Germany’s current leader, Friedrich Merz, was angry that Schroeder attended.
A spokesperson said Merz considered the visit immoral because of the war in Ukraine.
A leader in Schroeder’s own political party also criticized the visit.
Putin had suggested Schroeder could take part in talks about Europe’s security.
The European Union and Merz’s government rejected that idea.
The Kremlin said former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder attended Vladimir Putin’s 74th-birthday celebration at Putin’s home.
The Kremlin said Schroeder was in Moscow on business for Globus; he had recently joined Russian retailer Hyperglobus’s supervisory board.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Schroeder’s attendance deeply outrageous and described it as immoral, a government spokesperson said.
Social Democratic Party co-leader Lars Klingbeil also called the visit completely unacceptable, citing suffering in Ukraine.
Putin had proposed Schroeder as a possible interlocutor for European security talks, but the European Union and Merz’s government rejected the idea.
- Who
- Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Russian President Vladimir Putin; the visit was criticized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil.
- What
- Schroeder attended Putin’s 74th-birthday celebration at Putin’s home, according to the Kremlin.
- When
- During the week of the reports in October; the articles differ on whether the birthday celebration was Wednesday or Thursday.
- Where
- Putin’s home in Russia; the Kremlin also said Schroeder was in Moscow on business.
- Why
- The Kremlin said Putin invited his old friend to celebrate his birthday; it said Schroeder was in Moscow on business for Globus.
Kremlin’s Account
German Critics
Schroeder’s birthday visit
Kremlin’s Account
The Kremlin said Putin invited Schroeder, his old friend, to celebrate his birthday at home.
German Critics
Merz called Schroeder’s attendance immoral, and Klingbeil called it completely unacceptable in light of the suffering caused by the war in Ukraine.
Schroeder as a possible interlocutor
Kremlin’s Account
Putin suggested Schroeder could serve as an interlocutor for talks on new European security arrangements.
German Critics
The European Union and Merz’s government rejected the proposed role.
- Putin’s age
- The reports say Putin turned 74.
- Schroeder’s chancellorship
- He served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005.
- Business visit
- The Kremlin said Schroeder was in Moscow on business for Globus.
- Hyperglobus role
- Schroeder recently joined the supervisory board of Russian retailer Hyperglobus.
- Merz’s response
- A German government spokesperson said Merz was deeply outraged and considered the visit immoral.
- Klingbeil’s response
- SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil called the visit completely unacceptable, according to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
- Proposed talks role
- Putin proposed Schroeder as an interlocutor for talks on European security arrangements; the European Union and Merz’s government rejected the idea.