 He supported the policy of "change through trade" with Russia, but was widely criticized for not having a clear foreign policy doctrine.He called for more inclusion of Russia in the international community, but criticized Moscow, for example, for supporting President Assad's government in Syria.Upon taking office, Westerwelle opposed the appointment of Erika Steinbach, a German politician and member of Chancellor Merkel's party, to a board overseeing the creation of the Centre Against Expulsions, a place documenting the expulsion of Germans from Eastern Europe after World War II.