German ex-leader urged to cut Russia business ties

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has asked former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to resign from his posts at Russian state-owned companies. Schroeder, 77, is considered a longtime friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

That relationship has led to much criticism in Germany, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine last week. Schroeder is chairman of the supervisory board of Russian state energy company Rosneft. He also holds leading positions in the controversial Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipeline projects. 

The pipelines aim to bring Russian gas directly to Germany, bypassing Ukraine. Schroeder, who served as the chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005, has long been criticized for his close ties to Russia.