"It should not be expected that any of the sides would lose face [by year's end] after the situation has developed by the moment. Now we need a strategic patience — at least for a year, until a new US president will assume his office. During this period we should focus on the elimination of possible damage and to seize any chance to renew the dialogue," Ischinger said.
Since 2014, relations between Russia and the European Union, including Germany, have deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions since the reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2014, accusing Moscow of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict.
Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.
