This was reported by DW with reference to the Berliner Zeitung.
Schröder came to the reception, which was hosted by Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev, with his wife. In addition to the former chancellor, the celebration was attended by other well-known politicians in Germany, including former head of the GDR State Council Egon Krenz, Alexander Gauland of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany, and Tino Chrupalla and Klaus Ernst of the Left Party.
Diplomats from the CIS, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East also came to see the Russian ambassador. Among others, a representative of China responded to the invitation.
DW reminds that in Germany, Schröder is criticized for refusing to dissociate himself from the Kremlin and unequivocally condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They wanted to expel him from the Social Democratic Party, but a special commission found no grounds for this.
In the spring of 2022, the Bundestag deprived Schröder of the privileges that belonged to former German chancellors, including an office in parliament. At the same time, the former head of the government retained the right to security and a pension. Schröder tried to challenge the parliament's decision in court, but the claim was dismissed.
Gerhard Schröder, 79, served as Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. From 2007 to May 2022, he chaired the Board of Directors of Rosneft.
In August 2022, Gerhard Schröder said that during a visit to Moscow, he met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and talked to him about a ceasefire in Ukraine.