The two
leaders discussed Syria, the conflict in Ukraine, the Nord Stream 2 gas
pipeline, the Iran nuclear deal. Merkel was critical on press and cultural
freedom, and a ceasefire breach in Ukraine.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said
that the Iran nuclear deal was better than none at all in a press conference
with Vladimir Putin on Friday, also criticizing a breach in the ceasefire in
eastern Ukraine overnight before their meeting in Sochi.
Merkel was
speaking at a press conference following talks with her Russian counterpart
Vladimir Putin, with Germany at odds with Russia over its support for the
government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and its role in the conflict in
eastern Ukraine.
What was said
on Ukraine:
Both leaders
said the Minsk accord was the "only basis" to achieve peace in
eastern Ukraine, and that work should continue in the so-called
"Normandy" format — involving Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.
Merkel noted
a "major breach" in the ceasefire in the region overnight.
Putin said
Russia would support UN international peace keepers in eastern Ukraine.
Merkel
stressed Ukraine should remain a gas transit country even after the Nord Stream
2 pipeline opens, said Germany was "ready to play its role."
Putin said
that Russian gas may still flow to Ukraine: "Supplies will continue if
they are economically viable," Putin said.
Putin found
warm words on Donald Trump, saying "I understand the US president, he
protects his business interests. He wants to push his product to the European
market." According to Putin, "Donald is not just the US president; he
is also a strong, good entrepreneur."What was said on the Middle East:
The US
withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal had created a difficult situation, Merkel
said.
"It's
not a perfect deal, but it's better than no deal," Merkel said of the Iran
accord.
Merkel said
the EU is "currently discussing" a law that would block US sanctions
on European companies wanting to invest in Iran.
Putin said
that European countries should help Syria rebuild if they want refugees to
return to the country.
Merkel said
that Germany has a strategic interest in good relations with Russia.
What else was
said:
Putin
described the talks as "very useful" for Russia, saying that they
came at an interesting time.
Merkel said
that "big problems can only be solved if you talk intensively about these
topics where you're of different opinions."
Putin also
commented on the news that the poisoned double agent Sergei Skripal left
hospital earlier on Friday Sergei Skripal left the hospital earlier on Friday.
"I believe that, if he had been poisoned by a military-grade toxin as our
British colleagues are claiming, this man would die on the spot
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