Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, currently the chairman of NK Rosneft board of directors and the head of the board of directors of Nord Stream 2, owned by Gazprom, recognized the illegality of the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Schroeder said this in an interview with Der Spiegel, published on January 16, Deutsche Welle reports.
"The annexation of Crimea was a clear violation of international law," the ex-politician said.
This was Schroeder's first speech in which he publicly criticized the Kremlin's actions.
At the same time, the ex-chancellor clarified that this statement does not answer the question of what reasons were behind Moscow's actions.
"Suppose that Ukraine would indeed join NATO, as the Americans wanted. Then Sevastopol, one of the most important military ports in Russia, would be on the territory of the Western alliance," Schroeder said.
The ex-Chancellor of Germany said that he considers sanctions against the Russian Federation senseless, since he does not see what goals can be achieved with their help.
Earlier, Schroeder came into conflict with the Ukrainian diplomat, who criticized him for his position on the issue of Russian sanctions.
