{
  "id": 13117764,
  "title": "Kommentar: Putins nützlichster Steigbügelhalter heißt Schröder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/kommentar-putins-nutzlichster-steigbugelhalter-hei-t-schroder",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T12:25:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kommentare/kommentar-putins-nuetzlichster-steigbuegelhalter-heisst-schroeder/100261004.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Gerhard Schröder, a former German Chancellor, has been appointed to the supervisory board of the Russian supermarket chain Hyperglobus. Despite his past as German Chancellor, Schröder's reputation has been tarnished by his recent association with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The former chancellor publicly celebrated Putin's 74th birthday alongside the Russian leader, a photo released by the Kremlin showing Schröder shaking hands with Putin has raised concerns about Germany's international standing. During Putin's celebration, hundreds of people in Ukraine died due to Russian airstrikes, including three one-year-old babies. German politicians have criticized Schröder's behavior, with SPD leader Lars Klingbeil calling it \"unacceptable.\" Some SPD members, however, defended Schröder, arguing that he was merely a private individual when he met with Putin in 2005.",
  "summary": "Kein westlicher Ex-Politiker dient dem Kreml so verlässlich wie der Altkanzler. Was der russische Präsident mit dem Geburtstagsbesuch diesmal bezweckte.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}