In his speech, Schroeder called Brussels' decision to impose economic sanctions against Moscow as "wrong" and said that the EU should work on improving relations with both Russia and Turkey.
"Europe needs Russia and Turkey, especially in the field of security policy," the German politician said during the meeting.
In addition, Schroeder criticized Berlin's plans to deploy its troops in the Baltic States as part of a NATO mission. According to Schroeder, this is a "serious mistake," taking into account the upcoming anniversary of the Nazi Germany's attack on the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.
It was earlier reported that NATO is considering deploying international battalions in the three Baltic countries and Poland. The final decision on the number and dislocation of the armed forces will be made at the alliance's summit in Warsaw on July 8-9.
