Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday bash
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder traveled to Moscow to celebrate Russian President Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday at the president's home. The Kremlin published photos of the two men together to confirm the visit. The trip has sparked backlash in Germany, where a poll indicates a majority of citizens find the visit inappropriate. Political opponent Merz labeled the celebration absolutely immoral, and calls are increasing to expel Schröder from the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
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- ✓ Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday celebrations at the president's home in Moscow.
- ✓ The Kremlin published photos showing Putin and Gerhard Schröder together.
- ✓ Schröder has joined the board of a German supermarket chain in Russia.
- ✓ A poll shows a majority of Germans consider Schröder's visit to Putin inappropriate.
What changed
The Kremlin released photos confirming Schröder's presence at Putin's 74th birthday celebration.
Live updates
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Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder Attends Putin's Birthday
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder traveled to Moscow to celebrate Russian President Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday at the president's home. The Kremlin published photos of the two men together to confirm the visit. The trip has sparked backlash in Germany, where a poll indicates a majority of citizens find the visit inappropriate. Political opponent Merz labeled the celebration absolutely immoral, and calls are increasing to expel Schröder from the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
Why it matters
Schröder maintains a personal friendship with Putin despite the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and resulting tensions between Germany and Russia. He has further strengthened ties by joining the board of a German supermarket chain operating in Russia.
What is confirmed
- Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday celebrations at the president's home in Moscow.
- The Kremlin published photos showing Putin and Gerhard Schröder together.
- Schröder has joined the board of a German supermarket chain in Russia.
- A poll shows a majority of Germans consider Schröder's visit to Putin inappropriate.
- Merz described Schröder's visit and celebration of Putin's birthday as absolutely immoral.
Still unconfirmed
- Putin only learned of Schröder's arrival in Moscow through media reports that morning.
- Calls are mounting to expel Schröder from the SPD.
What to watch next
- Official decision by the SPD regarding Schröder's party membership
- Further public statements from the current German government leadership
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (28)
- dw.com — Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday bash
- Reuters — Former German Chancellor Schroeder celebrates Putin's birthday at president's home
- Наша Ніва — Kremlin published JOINT PHOTOS of Putin and Gerhard Schröder
- The Moscow Times — Ex-German Chancellor Schröder Joins Board of German Chain in Russia
- Devdiscourse — Russian supermarket staff applaud Germany's Schroeder in new board role
- The Moscow Times — Ex-German Chancellor Schroeder Joins Board of German Chain in Russia
- TodayPress.tv — Schröder went to Moscow, Putin found out later
- Reuters — Merz 'outraged' that German former Chancellor Schroeder attended Putin's birthday
- Українська правда — Merz criticises former chancellor Schröder's visit and celebration of Putin's birthday "absolutely immoral"
- EADaily — The Kremlin showed a photo: The ex-Chancellor of Germany celebrated Putin's birthday at his home
- afp.com — German leader outraged at Schroeder birthday visit to Putin
- Yahoo — Poll: Majority of Germans find Schröder's Putin visit 'inappropriate'
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