Putin invites 'old friend' Schröder to his home for 74th birthday
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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.
Source report
Wladimir Putin and Gerhard Schröder have shared a close friendship for years (archive image). Source: Alexei Druzhinin / POOL SPUTNIK KREMLIN / AP / dpa
A surprise reunion in Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin invited former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to his home for his 74th birthday. The Kremlin described the meeting as a gathering of old friends.
Meeting Details
Russia's President Vladimir Putin received former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) at his home on Wednesday, his birthday. "Yesterday morning, Vladimir Putin learned from the media that Gerhard Schröder was in Moscow on business," the Kremlin announced on Telegram on Thursday. "The President invited his old friend to come to him," the statement continued.
Putin celebrated his 74th birthday on Wednesday. The Kremlin released photos showing the two men shaking hands and smiling.
Schröder's Business Ties
Russian media reported last week that Schröder, 82, who has maintained long-standing connections to Putin, had been appointed to the supervisory board of Hyperglobus. The Russian supermarket chain was formerly part of the German Globus group.
Related Coverage
- Section: Germany – Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visits supermarket chain in Russia; employees greet him with applause.
Background
Schröder, who worked for the Russian gas giant Gazprom after his tenure as chancellor, has faced criticism in Germany over his ties to Putin.
In May, Putin suggested that Europe should select Schröder as a mediator in talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. This possibility was quickly ruled out by EU countries.
Source: afp/ceb
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Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday, sparking outrage in Germany