Russian President and German Chancellor voiced concern over the slow progress in Syria, as well as the escalation of hostilities in Libya despite Egypt’s mediation efforts to peacefully settle in crisis.
Among the key points of a phone conversation of the two leaders were the latest developments in Syria and issues related to the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Both German and Russian leaders have reiterated commitment to further close cooperation between the countries’ health ministries and other agencies concerned.
As Kremlin statement notes, Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel discussed key aspects of the situation in Syria, including issues of ensuring humanitarian demands of that country’s population.
“The leaders expressed concern over the escalation of hostilities in Libya. The inevitability of an early ceasefire and the launch of intra-Libyan negotiations under UN auspices were emphasized,” it said in a statement.
Commenting on the latest developments in war-torn Libya, President Putin gave a positive assessment of Egypt’s mediation efforts to peacefully settle the Libyan crisis. El-Sisi’s mediation followed on from the decisions of the international conference on Libya held in Berlin on Jan. 19, it added.
Putin and Merkel discussed Ukrainian conflict
Putin and Merkel also exchanged views on the intra-Ukrainian conflict settlement, expressing concern over the lack of progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements signed in 2015 and resolutions of the Normandy Four summit in Paris in 2019.
Kremlin press service said as well that Merkel and Putin on Tuesday also discussed other current issues, including combating the coronavirus pandemic.
The conversation was initiated by the German side, the statement confirmed.
