German Foreign Minister: Germany does not want to completely ruin relations with Russia
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel urged the US to pursue a more sensible treatment of Russia, after meeting with the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, in Washington on Tuesday August 28th, Deutschlandfunk reported.
Gabriel noted that the new sanctions issued by the US Congress caused concern in Europe due to "unpredictable side effects." According to him, "we would not want to completely destroy economic relations with Russia."
It should be noted that the German Foreign Minister has repeatedly criticized the US for the newly approved sanctions issued against the Russian Federation.
The German government claims that the new US sanctions against Russia violate international law.
The German Foreign Ministry said that Berlin would not accept the new US sanctions against European companies.
Both chambers of the US Congress supported the bill "Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act." An important part of the bill specifies the support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the strengthening of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
The document limits President Trump's ability to lift sanctions on Russia, and also confirms the effect of restrictions imposed by the previous administration. US President Donald Trump signed the approved law.