Steinmeier penned an opinion piece published Saturday warning that relations between the US and Russia have reached a new low. 

"It's a fallacy to think that this is like the Cold War. The current times are different and more dangerous," Steinmeier wrote in a 214-word guest column published by Bild, Germany's largest circulation newspaper.

The Ukrainian crisis, Syrian conflict and a lapse in nuclear material cooperation between the former Cold War adversaries are listed by Germany's top diplomat as reasons for the dangerous environment. He laid the blame mostly on Russia for "provoking" a new Cold War but, unlike the Cold War-era, in which the US and Russia had "red lines and respected them" the new multi-polar environment has more regional conflict making geopolitics "more unpredictable."

A plea for stronger diplomacy

"But in spite of all the frustration, disappointment and deep distrust on both sides," he wrote. "We must continue to search for ways to put an end to the insanity in Syria. The US and Russia must continue to talk."

He closed by urging Moscow to put pressure on Damascus to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city of Aleppo. "Russia can and must bring its weight to bear. And the regional players have to assert their influence on the fighters in Aleppo," he concluded.

This comes as the UN Security Council is poised to vote on two rival resolutions on Syria on Saturday, one drafted by France calling for an end to air raids on Aleppo and a second by Russia that makes no mention of a halt to aerial bombardment.

jar/rc (AFP, Bild)