Germany's president speaks for the US and Russia: Putin and Trump owe the world

Steinmeier said in an interview on April 15th that the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Scripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain last month has been “incident very serious”.

But he added that “with as much concern we should look towards tense relations between Russia and the West, which could have consequences beyond this case”.

Sergei Scripal and his daughter Yulia have been taken to the hospital on March 4 after being exposed to a substance that left Sallsbury unconscious.

Britain blames Russia for attempting Scripals, charges which Moscow sharply opposes.

This attack has strained relations between the West and Russia, pushing for reciprocal diplomatic expulsions and other measures.

Steinmeier was quoted as saying that while it is okay for Russia to face consequences for its actions, as it has also demonstrated by imposing sanctions for its aggression in Ukraine, “we cannot abandon direct dialogue”.

According to him, Russia cannot be demonised only because of its president, Vladimir Putin.

As for Syria, Steinmeier has said there will be no improvement until US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin reach a solution.

Of course, nothing can be achieved without regional neighbours, but everything starts with the US and Russia” is quoted as saying.

“Put and Trump owe the world to take the first step” / REL