German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is ‘deeply outraged’ by former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s visit to Vladimir Putin’s home.

A government spokesperson said Schroeder traveled to Russia this week to celebrate Putin’s birthday.

‘Putin alone is responsible for the war in Ukraine,’ the spokesperson said. It was ‘downright immoral’ for Schroeder to attend the celebration.

Schroeder, who led Germany from 1998 to 2005, has long faced criticism for his close ties to the Russian president. He has refused to cut those ties despite the war in Ukraine.

The visit has revived debate in Germany about the former chancellor’s role. His party has distanced itself from him in recent years.

Merz’s strong reaction shows how politically toxic any contact with Moscow remains in Berlin.

Schroeder has not commented on the visit. His office has declined to answer questions about the trip in the past.

The former chancellor lost his honorary positions and much of his party support after Russia invaded Ukraine. He remains unrepentant.