German Politician Calls for New Détente, Lifting of Anti-Russian Sanctions

There is no alternative to lifting sanctions the Western countries imposed on Russia, Südwest Presse quoted a well-known German politician Dr. Horst Teltschik as saying.

"We will not change Russia by sanctions," he said during a speech at the Response Forces Operations Command (RFOC), headquartered in the city of Ulm.

Hence, there is no alternative to lifting restrictive measures the West slapped on Russia over Moscow's alleged meddling in the Ukrainian crisis, a groundless claim the Kremlin has always denied.

Moreover, sanctions will have no positive effect, whether they work or not.

"Weak Russia … is more dangerous for Europe and the West than a strong one," Teltschik warned.

With the sanctions gone, the West and Russia should focus on a new détente, according to the politician, who served as a national security advisor to German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

"Putin has repeatedly signaled that he is ready to talk. Now the West has to respond," he said.

The German politician also criticized the EU and other Western countries for not really thinking about a new world order following 1990. As a result, "for ten years there was only one superpower – the United States," Teltschik said.