Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder yesterday criticized western sanctions against Russia and urged a diplomatic solution in Ukraine:

“We need a diplomatic, a political solution of the conflict in Ukraine.”

“We should make every effort to implement the peace agreements which have been agreed to.”

“Then there will be found a basis to solve the conflict and to abandon the sanctions, which I think are wrong.

I really want to say that clearly. That is my wish and that’s what I wanted to make clear here [today]”

The remarks were made during a two-day forum designed to strengthen ties between Russian and German businesses.