SOCHI, May 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev have held a brief conversation in Russian with German Chancellor Angela Merkel while welcoming the German delegation that had arrived for talks to Putin’s Sochi residence. The footage was broadcast by the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

Putin met Merkel at the entrance to the residence and presented her with a bouquet of cream-colored roses, freesias and other flowers in pastel colors. Medvedev, who had earlier held a meeting with Putin on the composition of the country’s new cabinet, also welcomed the German chancellor.

The German chancellor shook hands with Medvedev and congratulated him on forming the cabinet. The Russian prime minister replied that "it is capable, ready to work." "So we are looking forward to contacting [the German government]," he added, addressing Merkel.