German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Tuesday that restarting negotiations before a Greek referendum on July 5 is pointless. He also underlined that it is wrong to try and blame Greek crisis on people outside of Greece.

“We have always been committed to agreements and the rules. If we had all done the same, Greece would not have been in this desperate situation,” said Schaeuble, adding that the rest of the world has no responsibility for the situation. He added that he was sorry for the people in Greece and blamed the media for distorting situations.

He was unable to predict what would happen and reiterated that a new and difficult situation had been created as far as Greece is concerned.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that difficult days are ahead for the Greek people and clarified – as did Schaeuble – that “there can’t be negotiation for a new support program before the referendum.”

Merkel said the Greek government had the right to declare a referendum.

“A good European is not one that seeks a deal regardless of the costs,” she said, adding that compromises are only possible when advantages outweigh the disadvantages.