Schröder joins Putin’s 74th birthday

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended Vladimir Putin’s birthday celebration at the Russian president’s Moscow home. The Kremlin said Putin learned Schröder was in Moscow on business and invited him. Schröder had recently joined Hyperglobus’s supervisory board. The trip drew criticism in Germany over his Russian ties.

• 74Putin’s age at celebration
• 1998–2005Schröder’s years as German chancellor

Q1

What is Hyperglobus?

It is a Russian supermarket chain formed after German retailer Globus Holding sold its Russian stores last year.

Q2

What role did Putin propose for Schröder?

In May, Putin suggested Schröder could represent European countries in Ukraine peace talks, a role European foreign ministers rejected.

Q3

What work followed his chancellorship?

After leaving office, Schröder worked for Russian state-owned energy companies for years while maintaining personal contact with Putin.

Q4

How did Merz respond to visit?

Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the visit immoral and said he was deeply indignant in comments published on Thursday.

• n-tv
• Deutsche Welle
• The Straits Times
• Kristeligt Dagblad
• La Razon
• Watson
• El Mundo
• az-online.de