Two former German Chancellors support Russia

Former German Chancellor and much revered 95-year-old Helmut Schmidt has criticised the West's Crimea strategy and described Russia's annexation of the peninsula as 'completely understandable'.

He made his comments in Friday's 'Die Zeit'. Helmut Schmidt saw service on the Russian front as a Wehrmacht soldier in World War ll.

Another former Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, also has criticised the EU's attitude towards Russia on its Crimea/Ukraine policy.

Before leaving office Schröder signed off on the development of a gas pipeline direct from Russia to Germany under the North Sea. The pipeline is now in operation.

And as Kerry reroutes his plane to meet Lavrov in Paris to discuss the Russian/US/EU crisis, Tess gets to the top of Moanbane on Saturday. Moanbane is in Wicklow and stands at 703 metres. Mist on the mountain yesterday and the only way to navigate was by means of a compass and map.