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His return to Moscow probably coincides with the anniversary of the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navaln on his last visit to the post of German chancellor. As a result of this incident, bilateral relations have reached new lows. Berlin blames Moscow for this, and the latter denies it.
Now that Merkel is preparing to withdraw from politics after the September 26 elections in Germany, the crisis in Afghanistan may be the latest issue to drive a wedge between the two leaders.
Merkel described the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan as “generations”, while Russia followed a more peaceful tone.
Moscow is seeking contact with the Taliban, and diplomacy chief Sergei Lavrov calls it a “positive sign” that Islamists are “stating and practically demonstrating their willingness to respect the opinions of others.”
Friday’s trip will be the 20th visit to Russia for Merkel, who speaks Russian and grew up behind the Iron Curtain in former communist East Germany.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Afghanistan and Ukraine “obviously” will be discussed in Moscow.
Guarantees for Ukraine
On Sunday, the German leader will visit Ukraine, where he will meet with the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, as tensions persist over the mobilization of Russian troops on the border between the two neighbors earlier this year.
Efforts to secure peace in Ukraine have been one of Merkel’s most important projects, and she wants to avoid the impression that the peace process has “turned into a political zombie,” editor-in-chief Fyodor Lukyanov told AFP. of Russia on Global Affairs. .
Merkel may also seek to provide Ukraine with guarantees for Nord Stream 2, a controversial gas pipeline that will double Russia’s natural gas supply to Germany.
Berlin claims it needs additional gas, as it was decided to phase out coal and nuclear power.
However, the project is fiercely opposed to the United States and several European countries, who say it will increase the energy dependence of the old continent on Russia and the geopolitical influence of Moscow.
The pipeline bypasses Ukraine’s gas infrastructure and the country is losing much-needed transit fees. Kiev also fears that an important barrier will disappear that will deter Russia from possible aggression in the region.
The United States and Germany reached an agreement on Nord Stream 2 in July, which provides for sanctions against Russia if Moscow uses the energy sector as a “weapon” against Ukraine or other countries.
A.Navalno byla
Seibert said the Navaln case “not yet resolved” will also be discussed during talks on Friday. The issue, he said, has placed a “heavy burden on relations with Russia.”
A Kremlin critic was treated at a Berlin hospital after being poisoned by a nerve paralyzing substance, Novičiok, when he mysteriously crashed into a plane flying between two Russian cities last year and was found behind bars in January so soon as he returned home. homeland.
In commemoration of the anniversary of the Navaln poisoning, the Kremlin on Wednesday accused the German government of carrying out a “propaganda campaign” against Russia and claimed that Berlin was “interfering in the internal affairs of our country.”
At the time, Navaln sent a strong letter from prison urging world leaders to root out corruption and punish Putin’s people.
Other disputes relate to suspicions of espionage and cyber attacks, and Merkel has said she was personally targeted by Russian programmers.
One of the most dramatic incidents occurred two years ago when a cyclist passed a Chechen citizen from Sakartwell, who was passing through a park in Berlin during daylight hours. Germany has accused Moscow of ordering the assassination. Russia denies any suspicions in this regard.
At the time, a Briton, working at the UK embassy in Berlin last week, was arrested on suspicion of spying on Russia in exchange for money.
“I trust her”
However, despite many tensions, Merkel has always sought to maintain a dialogue with Putin.
Lukyanov said he believed Putin would “warmly welcome” the guest.
“In a way, Merkel is close to him. They both survived a lot together,” he said.
In previous meetings, the Russian leader sought to impress the chancellor by giving her flowers or helping her put on a coat.
But she had also brought her huge black Lab, Koni, to a meeting in 2007, which is not a pleasant gesture for Merkel, who has said she has swallowed dogs.
“I trust her, she is a very open person,” Putin said of Merkel. The foreign minister is not known to have made similar comments about Putin.
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