Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder made his first public appearance in his new capacity on Wednesday, visiting a Moscow branch of the supermarket chain Hyperglobus just days after his appointment to the company’s supervisory board. The visit has reignited debate regarding the former Social Democrat’s extensive business and political connections to the Kremlin.
According to German broadcaster DW, Russian television footage captured employees at the store on the western outskirts of Moscow applauding Schröder and his wife, So-yeon Schröder-Kim, as they toured the facility. Schröder expressed his enthusiasm for the brand, with Russian outlet RBC quoting him as saying, “I’m very pleased to be here, to see this wonderful hypermarket, to see the results of your work and to meet you, my wonderful colleagues.”
Hyperglobus was established last year as a spin-off from Germany’s Globus Holding. In a statement released last week, the retailer confirmed Schröder’s board appointment and the subsequent visit.
The former chancellor also reportedly advocated for maintaining commercial links between Russia and nations like Germany despite the sanctions regime imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. “It is exactly in these crisis times that these ties are especially important: they allow us to hear each other and look for ways forward,” he told RBK newspaper last Friday.
Schröder’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a persistent source of diplomatic friction. The two men maintained close ties after Schröder left office, with the former chancellor serving on the boards of state energy giants such as Rosneft and Nord Stream AG, the latter being majority-owned by Gazprom.
Historical records show Schröder celebrated his 70th birthday in 2014 as Nord Stream’s guest of honor in St. Petersburg, shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea. He also held a prominent position at Putin’s 2018 presidential inauguration at the Kremlin. Putin has frequently suggested Schröder as a potential mediator for peace talks regarding Ukraine, a role Schröder has indicated he is willing to undertake, although critics argue his proximity to the Kremlin makes him an unacceptable intermediary for Kyiv and Western allies.
Critics, including the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, have described Schröder as an “errand boy” for the Kremlin. In 2024, Schröder was stripped of a state-funded office and staff typically granted to former chancellors, a decision based on the assessment that he was no longer fulfilling obligations associated with his prior government role. Attempts by his party, the Social Democrats, to expel him have so far failed to meet the necessary legal thresholds.
Honestly, after the Rosneft controversy, this feels almost tame by comparison. The real question is why Germany still funds his old office.
I find it fascinating he thinks supermarket chains matter in geopolitics. Does he really believe buying vegetables builds bridges during a war?
Another reminder that money talks louder than morals. The Nord Stream ties were bad enough, but this grocery store board seat is just silly.