Medvedev responds after Merz reportedly criticised Schröder's visit to Putin
In short
Dmitry Medvedev responded to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's reported criticism of Gerhard Schröder's visit to Vladimir Putin's birthday celebration. Vedomosti, citing Reuters and a German government source, reported that Merz considered the former chancellor's attendance immoral.
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Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev responded to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's reported anger over former chancellor Gerhard Schröder's visit to Russia. RIA Novosti reported on October 9 that Medvedev wrote that no one would come to Merz for either his birthday or his funeral commemoration. RBC also reported that remark. RIA said the Kremlin had previously published photographs of Schröder and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russian leader's birthday celebration. [ 3 , 4 ]
Vedomosti, citing Reuters and an unnamed German government source, reported that Merz was deeply angered by the visit and regarded Schröder's attendance as immoral. It said German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also called the visit unacceptable. According to Vedomosti, Putin invited Schröder to his home on October 7 to celebrate his 74th birthday after learning through media reports that Schröder was in Moscow on company business. The Kremlin described the invitation as a visit by an old friend. [ 2 ]
RBC and Vedomosti linked the visit to Schröder's continuing Russian business connections. Vedomosti reported that his appointment to the supervisory board of Giperglobus (Гиперглобус) became known on October 2. It said his new role involves the company's general management and strategic development in Russia. RBC reported that the company operates more than 20 supermarkets in Russia. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The dispute concerns Schröder's continued contacts with Russia and his business role there. Vedomosti reported that he joined the supervisory board of a company operating in Russia shortly before the visit.
Key facts
- RBC and Vedomosti reported Merz's anger over Schröder's visit to Putin's birthday celebration. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Vedomosti cited Reuters and a German government source saying Merz considered attendance immoral. [ 2 ]
- German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil also called the visit unacceptable, Vedomosti reported. [ 2 ]
- Putin invited Schröder to his home for his 74th birthday on October 7, according to Vedomosti. [ 2 ]
- Medvedev said no one would visit Merz for either his birthday or his funeral commemoration, RIA Novosti and RBC reported. [ 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- RBC and Vedomosti reported that Merz was angered by Schröder's visit to Putin's birthday celebration. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Medvedev responded by saying no one would attend Merz's birthday or funeral commemoration. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The Kremlin published photographs of Putin and Schröder at the birthday celebration, RIA Novosti reported. [ 3 ]
Still unclear
- Merz's reported assessment is attributed to an unnamed German government source. Vedomosti relays Reuters' account; no direct statement by Merz is included in these documents.