PoliticsSchröder’s visit to Putin sparks political backlash in Germany

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder faced renewed criticism after attending celebrations in Moscow for Vladimir Putin’s 74th birthday. The Kremlin said Putin invited his “old friend” after learning Schröder was already in the Russian capital on business linked to supermarket operator Hyperglobus. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the meeting “totally immoral,” while Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called it “completely unacceptable.”