Senior German politician under fire for plea to recognise Russian Crimea

BERLIN (Reuters) - A senior German politician drew criticism on Wednesday for suggesting the West should recognise Russia's annexation of Crimea to save face for President Vladimir Putin.

Former state premier Matthias Platzeck, chairman of the German-Russian Forum business lobby and erstwhile Social Democrat (SPD) chief, is the first high-ranking German to say the West should endorse the annexation as a way to help resolve the Ukraine crisis.