Germany’s Schröder joins board of Russian chain

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 17.59

 

82-year-old Gerhard Schröder, who has close ties to Vladimir Putin, has been appointed to the board of the Russian company Hyperglobus. File photo. Photo: Gregor Fischer/AP/TT

Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, known for his ties to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has been appointed to the board of the Russian retail company Hyperglobus.

Schröder has maintained contact with Putin even after the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian leader has repeatedly stated that the former German leader would be Russia’s first choice as a mediator in the war.

It was announced on Friday that Schröder will provide "strategic guidance" to Hyperglobus and join the company's board, the Russian newspaper RBC reports.

82-year-old Schröder served as Germany’s Chancellor from 1998 to 2005. He has faced sharp criticism for his close ties to Russian energy companies, including roles as chairman of the board for the Nord Stream gas pipeline and the oil giant Rosneft.