By Emma Glanfield The German government has distanced itself from former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder after he was pictured embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin. The picture of the pair locked in a ‘bear-hug’ in St. Petersburg comes at a time of high tension between the West and Russia over Ukraine. In the photo, the former Social Democrat chancellor can be seen smiling as he embraces Putin on the steps of Jussupov palace in the Russian city. Former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could be seen smiling as he embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin on the steps of Jussupov palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, after enjoying his belated 70th birthday celebrations
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Government has distanced itself from Gerhard Schroeder following picture
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Former chancellor was seen embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Pair spotted in St. Petersburg after Schroeder's 70th birthday celebration
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