The leaders discussed in detail the Nagorno-Karabakh developments. Vladimir Putin told Angela Merkel about Russia’s mediation efforts with a view towards a cessation of hostilities and the activities of the Russian peacekeepers deployed along the contact line and the Lachin Corridor at the requests of Baku and Yerevan. It was emphasised that the consistent implementation of the agreements recorded in the November 9 Statement by the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia facilitated the general stabilisation of the situation in the region.
The two leaders underscored the importance of resolving the urgent problems of the population that was affected by the armed clashes. In this context, they noted the need to involve specialised international structures in the work conducted by the Russia-established Humanitarian Response Centre.
Both leaders expressed their willingness to further cooperate within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.
Exchanging views on the Ukrainian domestic conflict, Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel noted with satisfaction the general observance of the armistice that was introduced in conformity with the measures to strengthen the ceasefire signed by the Contact Group in July. At the same time, they expressed concern over the lack of progress in implementing the political aspects of the 2015 Minsk agreements and the decisions of the Normandy Four which were adopted at the Paris summit a year ago. They again noted that the Minsk agreements have no alternative as the basis for a settlement and pointed to the importance of Kiev’s fulfilment of its commitments. The leaders confirmed their intention to continue joint efforts in the Normandy format, including by the political advisors of the leaders of Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine.
Certain urgent bilateral issues were also touched upon. In the context of cooperation in countering the spread of the coronavirus infection, it was agreed to continue contacts between the Russian and German healthcare ministries, including on the issues of vaccines.