Germany unhappy with relations with Russia

On October 25, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he was not satisfied with the relationship between Moscow and Berlin, and affirmed that both sides need to make efforts to improve the situation.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. (Source: EPA/VNA)

Mr. Steinmeier is on a visit to Russia. The last time a German President visited Russia was in 2010.

German-Russian relations deteriorated in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and supported rebels in eastern Ukraine.

During a meeting with Mr Putin in Moscow, Mr Steinmeier said: "It is essential that we use this opportunity, as presidents, to continue the dialogue to improve bilateral relations, which we have not been able to satisfy for so long."

As German Foreign Minister, as a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Mr. Steinmeier called for increased dialogue with Moscow.

Currently, the SPD, the largest opposition party in the new German Federal Parliament, has also called for a gradual easing of economic sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel still maintains a rather tough attitude towards Russia, due to issues related to Ukraine./.

According to Vietnam+