Russia: Putin meets German Vice-Chancellor Gabriel to discuss Syria and Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Vice-Chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel at a meeting in Novo-Ogaryovo, just outside Moscow, Wednesday, to discuss the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts. Speaking about the Syrian and Ukrainian crises, Gabriel said that he understands that the "US is the main partner" for Russia on these issues, adding that "Germany and the EU can also be an important partner." The German Vice-Chancellor went on to highlight that "all the tasks from your side and from Ukrainian side mentioned in the Minsk agreements should be completed," adding that "we have to do everything to get over this conflict and use all the the chances." The Russian leader also mentioned bilateral trade relations and emphasised that international interaction between the Russia and Germany "proceeds quite intensively, though it happens on fairly narrow topics".