Ex-German Chancellor Schröder attends Putin's birthday bash
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday party in Moscow. The meeting has drawn criticism due to Schröder's ongoing ties to Russian energy firms and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The event underscores the controversial nature of Schröder's continued personal and professional relationship with the Russian leadership despite international sanctions.
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder still maintains a friendship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Tensions are high between Germany and Russia as the invasion of Ukraine continues.
https://p.dw.com/p/5O1A1 Putin has earlier called for Schröder to mediate talks between Russia and Ukraine Image: Pressestelle des Kremls Advertisement Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Russian President Vladimir Putin 's birthday party, the Kremlin said Thursday.
Putin celebrated his 74th birthday in Moscow on Wednesday. The Kremlin said Putin learned that Schröder was on a business trip in the Russian capital via Russian media reports.
"The president invited his old friend to his home," the Kremlin said, with the Russian government releasing pictures of Schröder and Putin smiling and clasping hands.
Schröder , who is 82 years old, was in Moscow visiting one of the branches of the new Hyperglobus supermarket chain. The ex-German chancellor was named to the chain's supervisory board last week.
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