German Government Distances Itself From Schröder After Putin Embrace -- Deutsche Welle
The German government has distanced itself from former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder after he was caught on camera embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine.
The above photo was reportedly taken as President Putin arrived at Yusupov palace, his official residence in Saint Petersburg, on Monday night, where former Chancellor Schröder was waiting for him. The two men, who are known to be close friends, smiled and embraced before entering the building for what is reported to have been a party to belatedly celebrate Schröder's birthday, who turned 70 on April 7.
Schröder, who served as chancellor between 1998 and 2005, is the head of the shareholders' committee of Nord Stream AG, the company that operates the Nord Stream pipeline that delivers Russian gas to Germany via the Baltic sea. Russia's gas giant Gazprom owns a majority stake in Nord Stream AG.
Read more ....
More News On The Putin - Schröder Birthday Party
German govt distances itself from Schroeder after his Putin meeting -- Reuters
Germany Frowns at Ex-Chancellor's Party With Putin -- AP
Putin hugs German ex-Chancellor Schroeder at party -- BBC
German government disowns former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after he is pictured in bear-hug with Putin despite tensions over Ukraine -- Daily Mail
German Ex-Chancellor Schröder Celebrates Birthday With Russia's Putin -- WSJ
Putin hugging Gerhard Schroeder: birthday pictures anger Germany amid Ukraine crisis -- The Independent
Schroeder’s Embrace With Putin Betrays Germany’s Split on Russia -- Bloomberg Businessweek
My Comment: Russian - European economic interests run in the hundreds of billions of dollars .... no one in Europe or in Russia is going to jeopardize that. But if it does become jeopardized because of Ukraine .... expect a recession (or worse).