MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Schmidt, who served as West German Chancellor from 1974 to 1982, died aged 96.
"The head of the Russian state praised the role of this outstanding statesman of post-war Germany in European and world politics and his personal contribution to the development and strengthening of good neighborly relations, partnership and cooperation between the two countries and peoples," the Kremlin said in a statement.
According to the press service, Putin also conveyed his condolences to Schmidt’s relatives and friends.
Schmidt's eight years in office were marked by his tirelessness efforts to deal with sharply rising oil prices, unemployment and many other challenges.
During his chancellorship, Germany restored its reputation as Europe’s economic powerhouse.
