Condolences to government of Federal Republic of Germany following death of former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt 2015-11-10 20:30:00 The President of Russia sent a message expressing his condolences to Federal President of Germany Joachim Gauck and Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel following the death of former Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. The President of Russia gave high praise to the outstanding post-war German statesman’s role in European and global politics and his significant personal input into developing and strengthening good neighbourly relations, partnership and cooperation between Russia and Germany and its peoples. Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Helmut Schmidt’s family and loved ones.