Full Breakdown
Gerhard Schröder’s New Role with Russian Supermarket Chain Hyperglobus
By Drooid · · How we work
Visit to Hyperglobus and Immediate Reactions
Former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder appeared at a Hyperglobus supermarket on the western outskirts of Moscow after being appointed to the chain’s supervisory board. Russian television showed employees greeting Schröder and his wife, So-yeon Schröder-Kim, with sustained applause. In the brief remarks he made on Russian state-run RBC, Schröder said he was pleased to see the “wonderful hypermarket” and praised the work of the staff. He also reiterated that maintaining trade links between Russia and countries such as Germany is especially important during the current crisis, arguing that such ties enable communication and the search for ways forward.
Historical Ties to Russian Energy Projects
Schröder’s involvement with Russian business predates the Hyperglobus appointment. After leaving office, he joined the board of the state-owned oil giant Rosneft and later served on the supervisory board of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, which was majority-owned by Gazprom. In 2014, shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Schröder celebrated his 70th birthday in St. Petersburg as the guest of honor at a Nord Stream event. Four years later he attended the swearing-in ceremony for Vladimir Putin’s fourth presidential term.
Official Statements on Trade and Peace Mediation
Schröder has publicly expressed willingness to act as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a role that Putin has occasionally suggested. He argues that continued commercial exchange can create channels for dialogue, even as Western sanctions remain in place. Russian officials have highlighted his willingness to “hear each other” as a potential bridge for negotiations, though no formal peace process has been launched.
Criticism and Political Controversy
Schröder’s close relationship with the Kremlin has drawn sharp criticism. The late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny once labeled him Putin’s “errand boy.” In Germany, the Social Democratic Party has repeatedly attempted to expel him, but legal hurdles have kept him in the party he joined in 1963. Additionally, in 2024 the German government stripped Schröder of a state-funded office and staff that former chancellors normally receive, citing his lack of fulfillment of any official duties. These actions underscore the growing domestic and international scrutiny of his post-political business activities.