Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder believes that Germany has a historic responsibility to Russia for the iniquity of the Second world war. "Even if you do not agree with all the modern steps of the Russian government, I must admit that there is a historical responsibility. These things must be looked into. For example, when we opposed the war with Iraq, which violated the UN Charter, we, somehow, continued to guard American bases in Germany, " Schroeder said in the interview with the BILD newspaper on Tuesday. According to the ex-Chancellor, " we also know that in Russia there are certain fears that the Russian President is obliged to respond "." for this reason, How the West treats Russia, is not always correct. In the Ukrainian question incessantly declare only about strengthening and extending the sanctions against the Russian capital. Why Western politicians will not ask: can we weaken or cancel the punishment, if Ukraine is making progress? Did American foreign Minister (Secretary of state John) Kerry a few days ago in Sochi. It's good! I dream that this position will dominate U.S. policy, " said Schroeder. "I heard and learned that Mrs. Merkel with an eye on the international situation did not accept this (Victory Parade) participation. I would have made a different decision. However, she visited a day later, in the capital of Russia and laid together with the Russian President's wreath. It was a good signal for the German-Russian relations ", - said the politician. The Federal German government headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel "took care of it, to keep the channels of communication" with Moscow, according to the former Chancellor." It is to his credit, As head of the foreign Ministry and the Chancellor. I dream, because It is so, " Schroeder said." I think that Minsk consensus - This is a great chance for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. But this requires extensive reform in Ukraine in the direction of federalization, As in Switzerland or Germany, " said the ex-Chancellor of Germany. Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. At the end of July 2014, the EU and the US from point penalties against private individuals and organizations have moved to the measures against entire sectors of Russia's economy. In response, Russia restricted imports of food items from States that have entered against her punishment: USA, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway. Because of the events in Ukraine in 2014 was cancelled annual public conference of Russian-German forum " Petersburg dialogue ", which was created on the initiative of the President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, as well as intergovernmental meetings. The Ukrainian authorities began in April last year in the Donbass military operation against dissatisfied with the coup d'etat of residents of the region. According to the summary data of the UN, the victims of the conflict began more than 6 thousand people. The settlement of the situation in the Donbas is discussed, as well as among them, during meetings in Minsk contact group, which since September of last year already took 3 of the document governing the steps to de-escalate the conflict. dialogues " channel four ", held on 12 February came amid a sharp escalation of the situation in the Donbass, provoked by the Ukrainian security forces, which increased the forces began to storm the position of the militia. Following the meeting, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany adopted a set of measures involving, for Example, the ceasefire in the Donbas with fifteen February, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the development of the security zone. One of the most important points signed in February of the Minsk agreements was the constitutional reform, and the enactment of a permanent law on the special status of separate districts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The agreement notes that decentralization should take place in coordination specifically, the commissioners of these districts, however, the Kiev Authorities are ignoring This provision, arguing about the fact that you are unwilling to have a dialogue with the authorized rebellious territories. Read the results of the last meeting of the contact group 6 may present turned out to form four working sub-groups on specific aspects of de-escalation of the conflict. It is envisaged that they will start operating already in the middle of may.