German Chancellor Merz is "shocked" and calls Schröder's birthday visit to Putin "immoral", according to a government spokesman today.

German Chancellor Merz is "shocked" and calls Schröder's birthday visit to Putin "immoral", according to a government spokesman today.

CDU Secretary General Hoferman said "shame is hardly the word".

Keyswater called it "a betrayal of Europe and his own country".

The lone defender is Stegner from the SPD, who claimed that Schröder is one of the few Germans who has access to Putin and the visit will be successful if he moves the peace "even a millimeter".