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Kremlin comments on Putin-Merkel talks' agenda

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet in Germany on August 18

© Sergei Savostianov/TASS

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the implementation of joint projects with due account for threats from third countries at a meeting in Germany on August 18, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

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"These are the implementation of large-scale joint commercial projects amid threats from third countries regarding these projects and the most relevant issues, both Ukraine and Syria, of course," he said referring to the agenda of the upcoming negotiations.

According to the Kremlin spokesman, the two leaders are unlikely to discuss the possibility of providing joint assistance to Turkey due to economic difficulties in that country. "This issue should be discussed with Turkey," he explained. "How can it be discussed without Turkey?" "I don’t think this issue will top the agenda," Peskov concluded.

Speaking about the president’s schedule for Saturday, August 18, the Kremlin spokesman noted that Putin would pay a private visit to Austria and attend the wedding of Austria’s top diplomat Karin Kneissl. After that, he will travel to Germany for talks with Merkel. They will begin with the two leaders’ statement for the media, in which they will outline the focal points of the upcoming meeting.

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