Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday, sparking outrage in Germany
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday celebration at the Kremlin leader's home in Moscow on October 7, 2026, drawing widespread condemnation from German politicians across parties. Critics called the visit a "shame for Germany" and "betrayal of Europe," while SPD's Ralf Stegner defended Schröder's access to Putin as potentially useful for mediation. The visit coincided with a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine.
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German Ex-Chancellor Schröder Attends Putin's Birthday Party, Drawing Sharp Criticism from CDU Politician
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended the birthday celebration of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, sparking strong criticism from Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy expert for the CDU. Kiesewetter accused Schröder of conducting 'quasi private Nebenaußenpolitik' (quasi-private foreign policy), calling the act 'illoyal, also toward the office he once held.' The visit, reported by Die Welt on October 9, 2026, is framed as a mockery of civilian victims in Ukraine and a damage to Germany's reputation. Kiesewetter's comments reflect ongoing political backlash in Germany against Schröder's continued ties with the Russian leadership amid the war in Ukraine.
Read sourceSecurity expert calls former Chancellor Schröder's visit to Putin a 'global embarrassment' for Germany
Security expert Nico Lange has sharply criticized former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for attending Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday celebration, calling it a 'global embarrassment' and a 'disgrace.' Lange stated that Schröder is putting on a show while civilians are being killed in Ukraine, and argued that the visit damages Germany's international reputation. The article, published by Die Welt on October 9, 2026, reports Lange's strong condemnation of Schröder's continued proximity to the Kremlin leadership amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The visit is portrayed as a significant reputational blow to Germany, with Lange emphasizing the moral and political inappropriateness of the act given the context of Russian military actions in Ukraine.
Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday party, drawing outrage from German leader Merz
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday celebration, an event that has sparked strong criticism from current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and opposition leader Friedrich Merz. The visit, reported by multiple news outlets including DW.com, Reuters, and Ukrainska Pravda, was confirmed by a photo released by the Kremlin showing Schröder at Putin's home. Merz described the visit as 'absolutely immoral,' expressing outrage that a former German leader would celebrate with Putin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The event highlights Schröder's continued close ties to Russia, which have been a source of controversy since his time in office and his subsequent roles with Russian energy companies.
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Schröder's Putin birthday visit draws 'shame for Germany' criticism, SPD's Stegner defends
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited Moscow to attend the 74th birthday celebration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing widespread criticism from German politicians. Green Party politician Katrin Göring-Eckardt called the visit 'a shame for Germany' and 'a betrayal of Europe,' while FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann labeled Schröder 'Germany's cheekiest pensioner,' noting his claimed illness for parliamentary hearings but fitness for Moscow. CDU politician Dennis Radtke also criticized Schröder's health excuse. However, SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner defended the visit, arguing Schröder went as a private citizen and that his access to Putin could be useful for mediation. Stegner reiterated his call for Schröder to serve as a potential mediator in the Ukraine war, noting that Putin himself had suggested Schröder for such a role in May. The visit occurred on the same day Russia launched a major combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which President Zelenskyy called a 'birthday gift for Putin.' Schröder has faced long-standing criticism for his close ties to Putin and his work for Russian energy companies since leaving office.
Read sourceGerman ex-Chancellor Schröder faces massive criticism for attending Putin's birthday party in Moscow
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is facing intense criticism after visiting Moscow to attend the 74th birthday party of his friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin released photos showing the two men smiling and shaking hands firmly. German politicians from the Greens and FDP, including Katrin Göring-Eckardt and Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, condemned the visit as a 'shame for Germany' and 'betrayal of Europe.' CDU politician Dennis Radtke criticized Schröder for being too ill to testify before a parliamentary committee but fit enough to visit Putin. Schröder, who was chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has maintained close ties with Russian energy companies and has met Putin multiple times since the invasion of Ukraine. On the same day, Russia launched a major combined attack on Ukraine, killing at least 25 people, which Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called a 'birthday gift for Putin.' Putin had previously suggested Schröder as a mediator in the war, a proposal met with skepticism by the German government.
Read sourceSchröder's Moscow Visit for Putin's Birthday Draws 'Shame' and 'Betrayal' Criticism, SPD's Stegner Defends
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited Moscow to attend the 74th birthday celebration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing sharp criticism from German politicians. Green Party politician Katrin Göring-Eckardt called the visit 'a shame for Germany' and 'a betrayal of Europe,' while FDP defense expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann labeled Schröder 'Germany's cheekiest pensioner,' noting his claimed illness for parliamentary inquiries contrasted with his fitness for a Moscow trip. CDU politician Dennis Radtke echoed this criticism. However, SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner defended Schröder, arguing he went as a private citizen and that his unique access to Putin could potentially help move toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. Stegner reiterated his call for Schröder to be used as a mediator. The Kremlin released photos of the two men shaking hands. The visit occurred on the same day Russia launched a major combined missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which President Zelenskyy called a 'birthday gift for Putin.' Schröder also visited a Russian supermarket chain earlier that day.
Read sourcePutin Invites 'Old Friend' Gerhard Schröder to Birthday Celebration at His Home
On his birthday, Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) at his private residence in Moscow. The Kremlin released photographs of the meeting, which was described as a private gathering. Putin referred to Schröder as an 'old friend,' highlighting their long-standing personal relationship. Schröder has faced criticism in Germany for his close ties to Putin and his role in Russian energy companies, including Nord Stream AG. The meeting underscores the continued bond between the two leaders despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in Ukraine. The event was covered by German news outlet Die Welt, which noted the Kremlin's proactive release of images from the occasion.
Read sourcePutin invites 'old friend' Gerhard Schröder to his home for 74th birthday celebration
Russian President Vladimir Putin invited former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to his home in Moscow on October 7, 2026, for Putin's 74th birthday. The Kremlin announced that Putin learned from media reports that Schröder was in Moscow on business and invited his 'old friend' to visit. Photographs released by the Kremlin show the two men shaking hands and smiling. Schröder, 82, has maintained long-standing ties with Putin and recently was appointed to the supervisory board of Hyperglobus, a Russian supermarket chain formerly part of the German Globus group. Schröder faces criticism in Germany for his connections to Putin and previously worked for Russian gas giant Gazprom after leaving office. In May, Putin suggested Europe should select Schröder as a mediator in Ukraine conflict talks, a proposal quickly rejected by EU countries.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder Visits Russian Supermarket Chain, Receives Applause
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, 82, visited a Hyperglobus supermarket in western Moscow on October 7, 2026, where employees greeted him with applause. Schröder, who recently joined the supervisory board of the Russian retail chain, was accompanied by his wife. According to broadcaster RBC, he told staff: 'I am very happy to be here, to see this impressive market and the results of your work, and to get to know you, my dear colleagues.' The visit comes amid ongoing criticism of Schröder's ties to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, which he maintained after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions. Hyperglobus was spun off from the German Globus Holding last year. The report notes that Russia is currently seeking to take control of foreign companies' assets in the country.