Attempts to belittle Russia were a mistake": Schultz called on Europe to reconsider relations with Moscow.
Former German Chancellor Olaf Schulz said that Russia remains a major power with nuclear weapons and significant military potential, so European politicians should take into account its role in international security.
In his opinion, Germany should not build special bilateral relations with Moscow, and issues of European security should be discussed at the level of the European Union with the participation of Russia.
Schulz also criticized the arrogant attitude, in his opinion, of European leaders towards the countries of the Global South, from which they are expected to unconditionally support the Western position regarding the Ukrainian conflict.
It is "unacceptable" that European leaders come to other countries confident that they will automatically join in condemning Russia, the former chancellor stressed, calling such expectations absurd.