Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder spent a cozy evening celebrating Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday inside the Russian president’s private residence this week. According to the Kremlin, the gathering happened somewhat spontaneously after Putin spotted news reports indicating that his longtime friend was already in Moscow on business. Images shared via Telegram captured the two men smiling warmly and shaking hands in a domestic setting featuring traditional Russian decor, including an old-fashioned stove and a steaming samovar for tea.
The visit comes amid Schroeder’s growing involvement with Russian commerce, specifically his recent appointment to the supervisory board of the supermarket chain Hyperglobus. Before heading to the president’s home, Schroeder spent Wednesday visiting one of the company’s Moscow outlets, where he was met with enthusiastic applause from store employees according to local television footage.
This display of friendship persists despite years of intense backlash in Germany and across Europe regarding Schroeder’s refusal to distance himself from the Kremlin following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While many former colleagues have condemned his ongoing financial and personal links to Moscow during a period of heavy Western sanctions, Schroeder appears unmoved by the diplomatic pressure.
The meeting also highlights a lingering point of contention between Moscow and Brussels. Earlier this year, Putin floated the idea that Schroeder could potentially serve as a mediator representing European interests in peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. That suggestion was swiftly and firmly dismissed by European foreign ministers, who made it clear they view him as an unsuitable candidate for such a role given his deep ties to the current administration.
