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Merkel says no consensus in EU over summit with Russia

"It was a very comprehensive discussion, and not an easy one," Reuters quoted her as saying

German Chancellor Angela Merkel EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

© EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. The European Union leaders failed to reach an agreement about holding a joint summit with Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday following the first day of the EU summit.

"It was a very comprehensive discussion, and not an easy one," Reuters quoted her as saying. "There was no agreement today on an immediate leaders' meeting,"

On Thursday, the EU diplomatic service told TASS that the summit would consider initiatives by EU members about future relations with Russia.

On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that Merkel had put forward the proposal to invite Putin to the meeting of EU leaders. According to the newspaper, French President Emmanuel Macron backed the initiative.

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Angela Merkel Germany

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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