Merkel-Putin Meeting "Discussion on Current Issues Including Afghan Situation"

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the 20th.

According to TASS and other sources, President Putin welcomed Chancellor Merkel at the Kremlin on the day and said, "Germany remains a major trade and economic cooperation partner of Russia."

President Putin emphasized that Germany is Russia's second-largest trading partner after China, and mentioned that the trade volume between the two countries, which had decreased last year due to COVID-19, has doubled in the first half of this year.

He added that Chancellor Merkel's visit to Russia would not only be a farewell visit as Chancellor but also a substantive and meaningful one.

Chancellor Merkel said she wanted to discuss international issues such as the Afghanistan situation and the Libyan situation, as well as bilateral relations with President Putin. She also mentioned that she would raise issues related to NGOs and civil society in Russia.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss the Ukraine conflict, the political turmoil in Belarus, and the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the largest economic cooperation project connecting Russia and Germany.

The talks were held behind closed doors following the opening remarks by both leaders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.