Former GDR premier opposed to anti-Russian sanctions
BERLIN. April 20 (Interfax) - A former chairman of the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), Hans Modrow, has said he disapproves of Germany's current policy towards Russia.
"The sanctions are not helping. Rather, they create even more differences [between the West and Russia]," Modrow told Interfax in Berlin.
He said he recently discussed the German-Russian relations with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
"Steinmeier and I have known each other for a long time. He told me that this [the relationship with Russia] is a very complicated issue. Overall, what he thinks of it himself is different from what the government thinks," the politician said.
Modrow stressed that Germany's foreign policy is to a large extent dependent on the United States.
"Steinmeier thinks dialogue with Russia is still necessary," he said.
Modrow is the last Communist premier of the former East Germany. Currently he is the honorary Chairman of the Left Party.