Former German chancellor resigns from Russian oil company

The company Russian gas Rosneft said Mr. Schröder had informed him that it was “impossible” to continue in this role. The Russian company stated in the statement that the former German chancellor played a large role in the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects in Russia and Germany. He took up a position at Rosneft with an income of $600,000 in 2017.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder remains on the board of directors with Nord Stream 2 – Russian and German gas pipeline construction company – as well as its parent company.

As Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005, Mr. Schröder was a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a member of the ruling Social Democratic party of incumbent German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The 78-year-old politician has a notable role in deepening Germany’s energy dependence on Russia.

Gerhard Schröder’s decision to resign from Rosneft came a day after the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution urging the European Union (EU) to extend sanctions to “members of the European Union”. Europe on the boards of major Russian companies and politicians continue to receive Russian money.”

The parliamentary resolution also calls for former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl to resign from Rosneft’s supervisory board.

Markus Ferber, one of the lawmakers who drafted the European Parliament resolution, told Reuters the intervention was also intended to prevent Mr. Schröder from taking a seat on the board at Gazprom, a key energy company. other from Russia.

In February, Gazprom announced Mr. Schröder has been nominated to the company’s board of directors, a decision expected at the annual shareholder meeting on June 30.

Former German Chancellor Schröder was a key player in promoting the Nord Stream 2 agreement, a gas pipeline worth $11 billion and a direct connection of Russian gas with Germany.