The goal of sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis must not be to wear down Russia economically, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday.
"Should it be our way of thinking and our goal to put down Russia economically?" asked Steinmeier at a conference organized by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily in Berlin.
"My clear answer is: No, that is, was and should not be the reason for sanctions," he added.