Phone call between Merkel and Putin to discuss global issues

BERLIN / MOSCOW – In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed a range of important global issues, such as the novel coronavirus COVID-19, as well as common issues between the two countries, such as the Ukrainian crisis, the Syrian and Libyan civil wars, and the status of the world oil market.

Both leaders stressed the importance of coordinating international efforts to address Corona epidemic.

A statement posted on the website of the Russian presidency said that during the call, special focus was placed on issues related to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of close coordination of international efforts in this process, with the active participation of the World Health Organization.

The two sides also agreed to maintain regular contact between the relevant Russian and German ministries for this purpose.

According to the Russian statement, Merkel and Putin also discussed in detail the issue of the settlement of Ukraine’s “internal crisis” and noted that the two sides positively assessed the exchange of detainees between the parties to conflict in the Donbas region of south-eastern Ukraine and stressed the need for continued implementation of the current measures taken to reach a settlement in Ukraine.

The statement concluded by noting that Putin and Merkel also discussed recent developments in Syria and Libya, as well as the current situation in world oil markets.