Merz 'deeply outraged' by Schröder's birthday visit to Putin in Moscow

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is "deeply outraged" that former chancellor Gerhard Schröder attended a birthday celebration for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, a spokesman said on Friday, reported dpa.

Deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer said that "Putin alone is responsible for the war in Ukraine."

Every day, Putin's orders were causing "immeasurable suffering, civilian casualties, families being torn apart, deaths and injuries," Meyer added.

"Against this backdrop, the chancellor finds it downright immoral that Mr Schröder is celebrating with Mr Putin on such a day," Meyer said.

According to the Kremlin, Schröder joined Putin in Moscow on Wednesday to mark his 74th birthday.

Schröder served as chancellor from 1998 to 2005. The 82-year-old is a personal friend of Putin and has faced criticism for years over that close relationship and his involvement with Russian companies.

Schröder has met with Putin repeatedly since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.