At the reception of the Russian embassy in Berlin, former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder celebrated yesterday’s anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Politicians from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Left and even the ruling party of the former East Germany were also present.

“On the occasion of the celebration of the victory of the Soviet Union in the war of aggression launched by National Socialist Germany, the ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergey Nechayev invites to a reception at the Russian embassy,” said the Russian diplomat’s invitation to which Mr. Schroeder responded. His wife, So-Yeon Schroeder-Kim, confirmed to the magazine Der Spiegel the presence of the couple at the embassy, ​​even expressing her surprise at the reactions that were caused. The reception was attended by AfD former leader Alexander Gauland and parliamentary group leader Tino Hrupala, former GDR SED general secretary Egon Krenz and former Left leader Klaus Ernst. Mr Khrupala said that “obviously all the heads of the parliamentary groups of the parties were invited” and noted that “we must not allow this dialogue to be interrupted, even in times of crisis”.

A few days ago, however, he had predicted that Ukraine and Russia would be defeated and that in the end the only winner would be the USA. For Mr Schröder’s party, a spokesman for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) said “the party’s stance towards Gerhard Schröder remains clear: he is politically isolated in his position”, referring to the former chancellor’s relationship with the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the positions he holds in Russian energy giants.

Former Left party leader Klaus Ernst defended his presence at the event, saying that, “despite the complicated situation due to the war, Russia played a decisive role in the defeat of fascism.” But Mr. Ernst has also asked the Committee on Energy and Climate Protection to recommend the lifting of sanctions against Russia, because, as he argued, they are ultimately directed against the very people of Europe and its industry.

Addressing his guests, the Russian ambassador spoke of a “death machine” that claimed the lives of 27 million Soviets and denounced “an increased effort to distort history in favor of the current political situation, to equate victims and executioners, winners and losers.” Nazism “must not have a single chance to revive, not even as Russophobia,” added Mr. Desaev.

The federal government, which was not represented at the reception, declined to comment on the involvement of politicians. “We see no reason to comment,” said government spokesman Stephen Hembestright. The parliamentary groups of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Liberals (FDP) clarified that their leaders were not invited.

Gerhard Schroeder’s connections with Russia have become a political issue after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The former chancellor is considered a personal friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he continued to work for Russian energy companies after the start of the war, despite criticism of him. In May 2022, the Bundestag’s Budget Committee recommended a cut in Mr. Schröder’s privileges, and the House subsequently decided to strip him of his parliamentary office and the associates who worked there. His pension and personal security were not affected. Last week the Berlin Administrative Court rejected his appeal against the decision of the MPs.