---
title: "German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder Visits Moscow Supermarket Chain"
url: https://newscentral.site/german-chancellor-gerhard-schroder-visits-moscow-supermarket-chain/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "World"
published: 2026-10-07T16:39:00.000Z
updated: 2026-10-08T02:33:34.202Z
id: 3104092f-6d46-4a22-962f-7c51672b6f4f
source: "DW English https://www.dw.com/en/gerhard-schröder-visits-latest-russian-employer-hyperglobus/a-79583018?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/german-chancellor-gerhard-schroder-visits-moscow-supermarket-chain/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder Visits Moscow Supermarket Chain

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder visited a Moscow branch of Hyperglobus, a supermarket chain spun off from Germany's Globus Holding.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has been making headlines in recent years for his ties to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, particularly since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Schröder has been spotted at various Russian businesses, and on Wednesday he visited a Moscow branch of Hyperglobus, a new supermarket chain spun off from Germany's Globus Holding last year. The visit came just days after it was announced that Schröder had joined the supervisory board of the company. Employees at the store greeted him with applause as he arrived with his wife, So-yeon Schröder-Kim.

Hyperglobus has been expanding its operations in Russia, and the appointment of a high-profile figure like Schröder to its supervisory board is likely to generate significant attention. The supermarket chain's ties to Germany will also likely be under scrutiny given the ongoing tensions between Moscow and Berlin.

Gerhard Schröder's past praise for Vladimir Putin has been a subject of controversy for years. In 2004, while still in office, Schröder made headlines when he described Putin as a "flawless democrat, a label that raised eyebrows among many observers.

This comment was particularly striking given the turmoil unfolding in Chechnya at the time. It also sparked concerns among opposition groups who were critical of Putin's authoritarian tendencies. The remark has since been cited as an example of Schröder's close ties to the Kremlin.

After leaving politics, Schröder continued to maintain close relationships with Russian leaders. He took on a series of high-profile roles, including serving on the board of Rosneft, the energy giant majority-owned by the state-controlled Gazprom. His tenure on this board has raised concerns about his potential influence and connections within the Russian energy sector.

Schröder's association with Nord Stream, another major gas pipeline project owned by Gazprom, also drew scrutiny. In 2014, he was honored at a lavish birthday celebration in St. Petersburg, where he marked his 70th year amidst controversy over Russia's annexation of Crimea and ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The appointment of Schröder to such prominent roles has fueled criticism that he is acting as a representative for the Kremlin. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny once described him as Putin's errand boy", highlighting concerns about his potential role in facilitating Moscow's interests abroad.

Schröder's membership in his party has been challenged multiple times due to concerns about his ties to Russia and its interests.

Despite these efforts, he remains a member of the Social Democrats, who he joined back in 1963. This ongoing situation has raised questions about his influence within the party.

His potential role as a mediator between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe seems unlikely given his close association with Moscow and its interests.

---
Source: [DW English](https://www.dw.com/en/gerhard-schröder-visits-latest-russian-employer-hyperglobus/a-79583018?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/german-chancellor-gerhard-schroder-visits-moscow-supermarket-chain/