Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder believes that no Russian president, who will lead the country after the current one, will not withdraw Crimea from the Russian Federation. He stated this in an interview with Stern magazine.

The German politician recalled that the half-hill was part of the Russian Empire from the 18th century. "I predict that there will be no Russian president who refuses to Crimea," he said..

Ex-Chancellor warned of impending alienation between Russia and Germany. "Many Russians are disappointed with German politics, in particular, in matters of sanctions," - said Schroeder.

In addition, he criticized the deployment of 450 Bundeswehr soldiers in Lithuania on the border with the Russian Federation and urged the current leadership of the FRG not to be guided by US interests. "The United States is not interested in a strong Russia, but Europe, especially Germany, has other interests," the German politician stressed..

Speaking about President Vladimir Putin, Schroeder said that they remain friends, maintain personal relationships and "will continue to do so". According to him, there is no political significance here, "since I am no longer in office".

Recall, Gerhard Schroeder served as Chancellor of Germany from 1998 to 2005. It was with him that an agreement was signed on the construction of the North European Gas Pipeline (Nord Stream). Following the resignation of the Chancellor, Schroeder headed the North European Gas Pipeline Company, the operator of the North European Gas Pipeline.

At the end of August this year, the ex-chancellor called for the demonization of Russia and confirmed his intention to join the board of directors of Rosneft, despite the harsh criticism of both the German media and politicians.

"I will defend my decision because it is politically and economically unprofitable for us to isolate our largest neighbor, Russia," the politician said at the time of the pre-election campaign in the federal state of Saxony. To this, the current chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel stated the following: "I do not think that what Mr. Schroder does is in the order of things," recalling that the Russian oil company is included in the EU sanctions list because of the Crimea's entry into Russia.