Germany's Gerhard Schroeder, known for Putin ties, joins Russian supermarket board

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, known for his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been appointed to the supervisory board of Hyperglobus, a Russian supermarket chain. Hyperglobus was once owned by the German Globus group. According to Russia's RBK newspaper, Schroeder's appointment comes amid growing tensions between Berlin and Moscow.

Schroeder, 82, will offer strategic guidance to the business, stating that maintaining economic ties with Russia is crucial during times of crisis. He urged for continued dialogue to find ways forward. The appointment follows a series of Western nations, including Germany, imposing sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

Despite these tensions, Hyperglobus remains one of the few Western chains still operating in Russia, with 22 supermarkets spread across eight regions.