Former German Chancellor Schröder attends the reception of the Russian Embassy | outside

Tino Shrubala, co-chair of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), said he saw Schroeder at the event, along with his wife Su-yeon Schroeder Kim. The former advisor did not respond to questions about his presence.

Earlier, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper reported on the reception on Tuesday. Many German politicians did not attend to protest Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. One of the people who turned up was Klaus Ernst from Die Linke.

Shrubala said Wednesday that he had received an invitation. “I’m sure all the faction leaders were,” he said. He also said that in times of crisis, dialogue should not be cut off. He says reconciliation is especially important in such historic days.

In February, a conservative member of the Bundestag, Knut Abraham, accused AfD deputies of being an integral part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s propaganda and war machine, even though they talk about peace.

Schroeder has long been criticized at home and in his own party for his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his involvement in Russia’s energy sector.

Schroeder served as Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005.