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German foreign minister: Nobody interested in Russian economic collapse

According to the diplomat, in its discussion with Russia, the West should advocate its interests and principles, but at the same time seek a dialog with Russia.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier
© EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

BERLIN, May 30./TASS/. The Western countries are not interested in weakening Russia economically, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said at the German-Russian conference Potsdam Meetings on Monday.

"Nobody is interested in seeing Russia collapse economically," the foreign minister said, focusing on anti-Russian sanctions. "This would not contribute to security in Europe," he noted.

For incorporation of Crimea after the 2014 coup in Ukraine, Russia came under sanctions on the part of the United States and many European countries. The restrictive measures were soon intensified following Western and Ukrainian claims that Russia supported militias in self-proclaimed republics in Ukraine’s southeast.

According to the diplomat, in its discussion with Russia, the West should advocate its interests and principles, but at the same time seek a dialog with Russia.

"We must continue to insistently defend our positions if our principles are violated, but at the same time we must exert effort towards d·tente and search for a dialog," the foreign minister said focusing on the Ukrainian crisis.