Merkel and Putin sound pragmatic notes at meeting after years of tension
The New York Times
BERLIN — The personal relationship between Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is often boiled down to certain anecdotes: her putdowns about his role in the KGB, his attempts to rattle her by bringing his black Labrador to a meeting, knowing her fear of dogs.
But the two countries’ long history of alienation and rapprochement was also at play when Ms. Merkel and Mr. Putin met for 3½ hours Saturday at the German government’s villa in Meseberg, outside Berlin. It was their second meeting in three months.
The two leaders concluded the talks without issuing statements. Before the meeting began, they told reporters that bringing stability to eastern Ukraine and Syria and addressing the future of the Iran nuclear deal were the topissues on their agenda.
Analysts had viewed the meeting as a chance to put relations between Berlin and Moscow on more pragmatic ground after years of increasing tensions. Mr. Putin seemed to suggest the same inhis comments beforehand.
“We are prepared to discuss problems in RussianGerman relations as well as relevant international questions,” he said, adding that his country “attaches great meaning to mutually beneficial cooperation with Germany in political, economic and other spheres.”
In particular, Mr. Putin said, he wanted Germany’s help in rebuilding Syria’s infrastructure so refugees would be able to return to the country, which has been devastated by more than seven years of conflict. Russia has provided military backing for years to prop up President Bashar al-Assad of Syria against the rebel groups seeking his demise, helping him keephis grip on power.
“We must restore the supply of water and the sewage system,” along with access to medicine, Mr. Putin said. “These are the most basic things in which I think everyone is interested, including Europe.”
Ms. Merkel also pointed to a need for greater cooperation, though she suggested Moscow had a particular burden.
“Germany, but especially Russia, as a member of the U.N. Security Council, has a responsibility to find solutions,” Ms. Merkel said. “I am of the opinion that controversial issues can only be addressed in dialogue, and through dialogue.”
Bilateral issues focusing on energy and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline were also up for discussion.
Mr. Putin has always shown a mastery for playing to the cameras, whether posing bare-chested on horseback, dancing with Tartars or ridingHarleys with bikers.
On Saturday, that command was on display again, this time as the Russian leader made a brief personal appearance in the Styrian Alps at the wedding of Austria’s foreign minister, before continuing north to Germany.
Mr. Putin’s brief visit — he stayed for an hour and 20 minutes — created a buzz throughout the alpine nation and beyond. Not all of it was positive.
Opposition politicians and Ukranian leaders said the Russian president’s presence could harm Austria’s foreign policy at a time when it holds the European Union’s rotating presidency.
“How should the EU council presidency meet the demand to build bridges and act as an honest broker if the foreign minister and the federal chancellor are so obviously on one side?” said Andreas Schieder, parliamentary leader of Austria’s Socialist Party.
Before the Kremlin announced that Mr. Putin would attend the wedding of Austria’s foreign minister, Karin Kneissl, 53, in a vineyard in Gamlitz, the festivities had already taken on the sheen of a political event.
Among the other guests were Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria and HeinzChristian Strache, leader of the country’s far-right Freedom Party and vice chancellor, along with other members of the Cabinet.
Ms. Kneissl’s ministry said the event was a private affair and insisted that it would not influence the country’s foreign policy.