2nd LD Writethru: Putin, Merkel urge diplomatic solution to bilateral problems
Xinhua, May 10, 2015 Adjust font size:
Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday jointly called for diplomatic solution to current problems between the two countries, vowing that both sides would strive for cooperation.
There are various problems today between Russia and Germany that should be solved "sooner the better", Putin told Merkel during their meeting in the Kremlin.
Merkel responded that Russia and Germany need to cooperate when facing "difficult situations" between the two countries, urging solution of the problems through "diplomatic paths", according to the RIA Novosti news agency.
The two leaders are expected to talk about problems in bilateral cooperation and Russia-EU relations, as well as key issues like the Ukraine crisis.
Before the two leaders held talks, they laid wreaths at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers at the Red Square in downtown Moscow.
Putin thanked Merkel for coming to Moscow and paying tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives in the Second World War and Russia's Great Patriotic War.
May 9 is the Victory Day of Russia to celebrate annually the victory of the Great Patriotic War. Merkel didn't come on the exact day for Russia's grand parade but decided to visit Moscow one day later. Endi