Schröder defends friendship with Putin - Kremlin pleased. Former Chancellor says he would remain a social democrat as long as he was allowed to do so.
Schröder has been friends with Putin since his chancellorship from 1998 to 2005. He continues to work for the majority Russian companies that run the Nord Stream pipelines through the Baltic Sea. He described speculation that Putin could start a nuclear war or attack a NATO country on the eastern flank as “nonsense’ The SPD leadership is likely to be less happy about its ex-party leader's renewed commitment to friendship with the Kremlin.