AfD Leader: freezing Russia's foreign currency assets counterproductive

Russia and Europe should resume economic relations to have a chance at negotiating mutually-acceptable gas payments, whereas freezing Moscow's foreign currency assets was a move harmful for both, Tino Chrupalla, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, told Sputnik on Friday.

Chrupalla is a member of German parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"Freezing Russian foreign currency is a destructive measure aimed at harming the Russian economy and the trade relations in Europe. This attack on the ruble forced Russia to start charging rubles for gas. I think that the priority should be the resumption of economic ties to facilitate peace negotiations. Then it will certainly be easier to agree on payment terms", Chrupalla said.