Jimmy Carter wants America to coddle its enemy? Shocker.

Paris (AFP) – Former US president Jimmy Carter said Tuesday the West should not impose sanctions that would hurt the Russian people over their leaders’ actions in Ukraine.

“So far, we have limited the sanctions to the leadership of Russia, and I think that is the proper approach,” the Nobel peace laureate told AFP on the sidelines of a discussion in Paris on climate change.

“I don’t think we would go so far as to impose sanctions that would hurt the Russian people.”

The statesman was taking part in a meeting with students as a member of The Elders group set up to promote human rights around the world.

US Vice President Joe Biden earlier warned Russia of “more costs” and “greater isolation” if it continued to “pull Ukraine apart”.