The Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin celebrated his 74th birthday in Moscow on 7/10. It was noted that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was also in the Russian capital on a work trip.

"The president invited his old friend to his private residence," the Kremlin confirmed, releasing images showing Schroeder smiling and clapping during Putin's birthday celebration.

Schroeder, 82, recently appointed to the supervisory board of Russian supermarket chain Hyperglobus, was in Moscow to visit one of its branches.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at Putin's residence, in a photo released on 8/10. *Photo: Reuters*

A German government spokesperson stated on 9/10 that Chancellor Friedrich Merz was deeply outraged by Schroeder's attendance at President Putin's birthday party, calling it "completely unreasonable" amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Schroeder, who served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has faced criticism for his ties to President Putin and Russian businesses. He maintained these connections even after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in 2022.

Schroeder speaks at a Hyperglobus supermarket in Moscow on 7/10. *Photo: RBC*

Schroeder's visit also drew criticism from within his own Social Democratic Party (SPD). SPD leader Lars Klingbeil called the former chancellor's actions "unacceptable."

The former German chancellor has not yet commented on the information.

Over the past 20 years, Schroeder has held several senior positions at Russian companies. Immediately after leaving office, he became chairman of the shareholders' committee for Nord Stream, the Gazprom-led gas pipeline project across the Baltic Sea. He later held senior roles at Russian oil and gas group Rosneft.

Putin and Schroeder in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 6/2016. *Photo: Reuters*

In 5/2022, the German parliament stripped former Chancellor Schroeder of privileges, such as a state-funded office, after he refused to publicly condemn Russia for the conflict in Ukraine. Despite this, Schroeder maintained he "made no mistakes" and consistently supported a stance of friendship with Russia.

President Putin stated in May that Schroeder would be his preferred interlocutor for discussing new security agreements for Europe. This idea was immediately rejected by the European Union (EU) and the German government.

(According to Reuters, AFP)