Schröder supports Scholz in Taurus debate. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been friends with Russian President Vladimir Putin since he was chancellor from 1998 to 2005.
He has called the Russian attack on Ukraine a mistake, but still maintains his friendship with Putin. He is therefore excluded from the SPD leadership, but a party expulsion procedure against him failed. He defended the Chancellor against criticism that he was playing into Putin's hands by saying no to Taurus. “I can’t take these attacks that play a role seriously. Neither from Ms. Strack-Zimmermann nor from others,” he said. He also defended the SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.