[German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern on
Friday that EU sanctions against Moscow for its actions in Ukraine could
destabilize Russia and warned against "turning the screw" any further.
...
Steinmeier said the dramatic fall in the rouble currency and falling energy
prices had created an economic and financial crisis in Russia, which would
affect the political landscape there."It cannot be in our interests that
this runs out of control," he said. "We need to keep this in mind in our
sanctions policy."]
Germany's Steinmeier fears sanctions could destabilize Russia
http://www.todayonline.com/world/germanys-steinmeier-fears-sanctions-could-destabilize-russia
Updated: 12:40 AM, December 20, 2014
BERLIN - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern
on Friday that EU sanctions against Moscow for its actions in Ukraine could
destabilize Russia and warned against "turning the screw" any further.
The comments to German weekly Der Spiegel suggest a possible softening in
the stance of Steinmeier, a member of the traditionally Russia-friendly
Social Democrats (SPD) who has stuck closely to Chancellor Angela Merkel's
tough line with Moscow until now.
Steinmeier said the dramatic fall in the rouble currency and falling energy
prices had created an economic and financial crisis in Russia, which would
affect the political landscape there.
"It cannot be in our interests that this runs out of control," he said. "We
need to keep this in mind in our sanctions policy."
Asked if he feared detribalization in Moscow if Europe didn't ease
sanctions he said, "I have that concern." He added that the crisis in
Russia would only create more uncertainty, and that was why he opposed
further penalties.
European Union leaders on Friday warned Moscow they are ready to "stay the
course" in a long confrontation if President Vladimir Putin refuses to pull
back from Ukraine.
Some in the EU have said they should switch focus away from supporting
Ukraine to seeking a detente with Moscow. But leaders voiced their
determination to stick together as they have over the past year, while
brandishing at Putin the stick of more sanctions and carrot of renewed
cooperation.
Germany has taken the lead in trying to convince Putin to engage with the
West but to no avail. Steinmeier visited Kiev on Friday seeking to bring
new momentum into the peace process. REUTERS
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