The leadership of the SPD - the party of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - rejected a proposal to expel former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder from the party because of his close ties with Putin and the energy sector of the Russian Federation, Voice of America reports, citing the news agency dpa.

Before reaching a final verdict, the arbitration committee of the center-left Social Democratic Party of Germany considered 17 applications from party members asking for an investigation..

Schroeder's long-standing ties to the Russian energy sector and his refusal to fully distance himself from President Vladimir Putin in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have seen his political reputation tarnished.. However, the SPD committee decided that Schroder's actions did not violate party rules, dpa reported..

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is criticized for his proximity to the Kremlin and his activities in Russian state concerns.

He confirmed that at the end of July he again met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.. Schroeder said that Putin would like to find a solution to the conflict with Ukraine and the West through negotiations.

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The last straw was the recent statement of the ex-chancellor that, despite everything, he will continue to keep in touch with Putin. After another scandalous statement by Schroeder, the SPD cell in Hannover on July 14 initiated a discussion on the expulsion of the politician from the party. Not expelled.