The main subject of President Putin’s negotiations with Mr Fischer was preparations for the Russian-German summit to be held on April 9–10 in St Petersburg.
They discussed topical international issues, in particular ways to preserve and maintain strategic stability in the world and prospects for the prolongation of the ABM Treaty. Vladimir Putin emphasised that Russia would continue to take a constructive approach to talks on the START and ABM arms control treaties and conduct an active dialogue with the new US Administration.
Vladimir Putin and Joschka Fischer also discussed the Mid-East settlement, freedom of the press and the situation in the Chechen Republic.