German politicians criticise Schroeder's visit to Putin

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's visit to Vladimir Putin drew criticism from German politicians. Reuters also reported on October 9 that current Chancellor Friedrich Merz was deeply outraged by the trip.

RIA Novosti's initial report, citing Bild, described reactions from Katrin Göring-Eckardt, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann and Dennis Radtke. The first two called the visit shameful, while Radtke contrasted Schroeder's refusal to appear before a parliamentary inquiry with his trip to Russia.

The Kremlin said Putin learned that the former chancellor was in Moscow on business and invited him to his home. The Russian press service released a photograph of the two men. Reuters describes the meeting as Schroeder joining the Russian president's birthday celebration.

RIA Novosti also quotes individual X users defending Schroeder. Those comments reflect selected accounts and do not establish German public opinion. Political criticism of the trip is supported by reports of party representatives' statements and the government's response.