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Gerhard Schröder visits Putin for birthday celebration in Moscow

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin's birthday celebration in Moscow, prompting sharp criticism across party lines in Germany.

9 October 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Gerhard Schröder visits Putin for birthday celebration in Moscow — Archive photoPhoto: Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Gerhard Schröder, former Chancellor of Germany, attended the birthday of Vladimir Putin, who turned 74 on Wednesday. Schröder had traveled to Moscow earlier due to his appointment to the supervisory board of the Russian retail chain Hyperglobus.

According to the Kremlin, Putin learned of Schröder's visit through the media, after which the Russian president spontaneously invited the former chancellor to his celebration. Upon his arrival in Moscow, Schröder was greeted with applause from supermarket staff, indicating a positive reception on-site.

The visit to the birthday celebration has provoked intense reactions in Germany. Politicians from various parties, including Friedrich Merz of the CDU as well as representatives from the Greens and the FDP, expressed outrage over Schröder's close ties to the Kremlin. Merz described the visit as "deeply outrageous" and highlighted the implications of the Ukraine war.

Criticism of Schröder relates not only to the visit itself but also to the maintenance of his relationships with Putin during heightened tensions between Russia and the West. Politicians from the SPD also expressed irritation regarding the meeting, although there were still some voices defending Schröder and highlighting his merits.

In addition to the political outrage, there are also reports of potential legal consequences for Schröder, as his behavior in the current geopolitical situation is seen by many as inappropriate. Moreover, he has faced criticism multiple times since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine for his proximity to Russia.

Controversies surrounding Schröder are not new, as he has repeatedly acknowledged his connections with Russia, which elicit bewildered reactions in Germany. The visit to Putin’s celebration adds to an already long catalog of inquiries and accusations from the German public against the former chancellor.

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