Cctv newsOn the 18th, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi.
During the talks, the two sides discussed the situation in Syria, Russia-Europe relations and the withdrawal of the United States from the Iranian nuclear agreement.
Merkel visits Putin and flowers greet him.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Sochi, Russia on the 18th. After arriving, she immediately met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In order to show the friendship between the two countries, Putin, who was waiting at the door, also presented a bouquet of flowers for Merkel.
Merkel’s visit is to ease Russia-Europe relations.
The main purpose of Merkel’s trip is to ease the tense Russian-European relations in recent years. In the context of the current rift between the US and Europe due to the Iranian nuclear deal and trade issues, her trip has attracted much attention.
The two discussed international hot issues.
At the joint press conference after the meeting, Putin said that the meeting with Merkel was timely and beneficial. When talking about the situation in Syria, Putin said that if Europe wants refugees exiled there to return to their homes, it should help Syria revive its economy and provide substantial humanitarian assistance to Syria, and these issues should be depoliticized.
Merkel says friendship with Russia is in Germany’s interest.
Merkel hopes that Russia will exert influence on the Syrian government and urge them not to create difficulties for refugees to return home. She also said that good relations with Russia are in Germany’s strategic interests.
Both Russia and Germany support the maintenance of the Iranian nuclear deal.
On the withdrawal of the United States from the Iranian nuclear deal, Merkel said that both Germany and Russia support this agreement and hope that Iran will remain in the framework of the agreement. Although this agreement is not perfect, it is better than nothing. At the same time, the European Union also agrees that negotiations on Iran’s ballistic missile program are needed in the future.
Putin: The Nord Stream 2 project has nothing to do with politics.
Putin and Trump (the network map has nothing to do with the content)
Putin and Merkel also focused on the "Nord Stream 2" natural gas pipeline construction project. Putin said that this pipeline is a purely commercial project and has nothing to do with politics — — He also rarely directly named the US President Trump.
When asked about the "Nord Stream 2" natural gas pipeline construction project, Putin said that the construction of the project is entirely from an economic point of view, without political factors. He also stated that "Nord Stream 2" is not a substitute for Ukraine’s natural gas pipeline, and even after the completion of "Nord Stream 2", the natural gas pipeline supplying gas to Europe through Ukraine can still continue to operate.
US interferes with Russian energy project Putin and Trump
Last year, Gazprom signed agreements with many energy companies in France, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany to jointly promote this project.
The Trump administration has repeatedly warned that companies involved in the construction of the project may face US sanctions. In this regard, Putin’s response is a bit rude.
Reuters described Putin’s comments on Trump as "unusually straightforward", because although Putin criticized American policies, he always respected Trump himself. In the words of Russian officials, Putin and Trump have established a "good personal relationship".
Some commentators also pointed out that Russia and Europe are opposed to the Trump administration’s policies on the Iranian nuclear deal and other issues, which may lead to reconciliation between Russia and Europe. The "Nord Stream 2" project concerns the common interests of Russia and Europe, especially Germany, and also provides an opportunity to repair the seriously damaged Russian-European relations after the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis.