Conflicts
Child about Schröder: “That’s why there doesn’t have to be a break”
Despite differing opinions on the Ukraine war, Martin Kind maintains his “good acquaintance” with Gerhard Schröder. photo
© Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
They have been considered confidants for years: former Chancellor Schröder and the Lower Saxony entrepreneur Martin Kind. Their opinions differ when it comes to Russia. But the child doesn’t want to let it break.
The former Chancellor has been criticized for his connections to Russia, particularly since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. Schröder is considered a close friend of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, and critics also criticize him for his years of work for Russian energy companies. The SPD even wanted to throw him out of the party, but the plan failed. Although Schröder has always criticized the Russian war of aggression, he has advocated maintaining relations with Russia and has repeatedly spoken of the Kremlin’s willingness to negotiate.
Kind’s hearing aid company, on the other hand, had already left Russia early on. “We sold our Russian business before the war,” said Kind, who remains managing director alongside his son Alexander. “The development was already noticeable. The market there is corrupt.” However, the company is still active in Ukraine. Some of the employees there were brought to Germany after the Russian attack.