German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken against long-term isolation of Russia because of the Ukrainian conflict.
"I wouldn't bet on Europe’s long-term isolation of Russia. Even if the search for a political solution takes many years or maybe even decades, we must do everything that we can to solve the conflict," he said in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt.
The Foreign Minister said that "clear words are appropriate" for solving the Ukrainian conflict. "However, I never had any illusions that conflicts can be solved only with them or with sanctions," he added.
Steinmeier believes that it is important "to have the courage to return to the negotiating table" in order to solve problems and use every opportunity for that. Along with that, the West’s critique of Russia does not exclude its commitment to dialogue with Moscow, the minister stressed.
According to Steinmeier, the Minsk agreements "are not perfect". "And I have always said that reaching them is not a breakthrough. However, if heavy weaponry withdrawal is completed, if the ceasefire is held in general and if we possibly get an opportunity to deliver humanitarian aid to the region, it will be a lot more than nothing, which everyone wants to see in the Minsk agreements," Steinmeier said.
