Schröder’s meeting with Putin draws criticism from German government and SPD

The former chancellor travelled to Moscow for the Russian president’s 74th birthday; the Kremlin said Putin invited his longtime friend.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow drew a sharp response in Berlin. A spokesman for Friedrich Merz’s government said the chancellor was “deeply outraged” by the visit, which took place on Wednesday, Putin’s 74th birthday. He called it “absolutely immoral” for a former head of government to attend celebrations while the war in Ukraine continues. The Kremlin said Putin invited Schröder after learning he was in Moscow on business.

Criticism also came from within the Social Democratic Party (SPD), of which Schröder remains a member. Co-leader and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the trip “completely unacceptable,” according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. SPD lawmaker Ralf Stegner, however, defended Schröder’s right to keep in contact with Moscow and said communication channels could be useful in possible ceasefire talks.

Schröder led Germany from 1998 to 2005 and held posts at Russian energy companies, including Gazprom and Rosneft, after leaving office. His ties to Moscow have long been controversial in Germany. The visit came shortly after Merz travelled to Kyiv, where he reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and announced new military and energy assistance.