According to Steinmeier, Russia is not interested in “getting caught up deeper in the war” if the Syrian crisis goes on for years, the media reported.
“I have an impression that Russia is in fact looking for a solution to the Syrian catastrophe," Steinmeier said in the interview.
Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011. Government forces are fighting with a number of opposition factions and extremist groups.
Russia has been conducting airstrikes against ISIL radicals in Syria since late September at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Moscow also participates in the international efforts to find a political settlement to the crisis, having hosted two rounds of talks between the Syrian government and taking part in the Vienna talks on the Syrian settlement.
