The proposal of German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel to lift the sanctions against Russia has angered Kiev authorities, with Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Andrew Miller calling such approach "inappropriate" and insisting that the international community should maintain "strategic patience, unity and rigidity" on the issue.
Kiev has perceived Gabriel's words with "disappointment and bitterness," Andrew Miller said in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel.
Gabriel noted that the policy of isolation has not brought anything in the long run and called for the extension of dialogue with Moscow.
At the same time, Gabriel's SPD party members have also opposed the call of their leader and proposed the idea of a "new Eastern policy," German newspaper Die Zeit wrote.
"Our goal is to clearly distinguish between social democracy and the Kremlin's aggressive policy violating international law, as well as to underline our solidarity with our neighbors and allies in Eastern Europe," the appeal of the new SPD working group said.
According to the initiator of the group Jan Berends, the SPD must "find the strength to refuse the Eastern policy in the style of Gerhard Schroeder," adding that Gabriel is moving "in the wrong direction."
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has repeatedly called fort the withdrawal of the anti-Russian sanctions, saying that their extension is "absurd."
The United States, the EU and some of their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities, over Crimea's reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.
