Merkel firm, Putin's conciliatory tone; "Sanctions remain"

Merkel firm, Putin's conciliatory tone; "Sanctions remain"

However, Merkel sent a positive signal at the start of her first visit to Russia in two years and the growing tensions, when she said that "Moscow is a constructive partner".

"The talks with Putin are intensive and fair, Russia is a constructive partner," she said.

Putin spoke before Merkel in a fairly conciliatory tone, saying that they discussed the conflict in Syria and agreed that "a much more active negotiating process" was needed.

"We discussed international issues, including the crisis in Syria and the situation in Ukraine," Putin said and pointed out to good economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said that Russia was ready to discuss international conflicts, but demanded a full and impartial investigation into the poison gas attack in Syria.

"The perpetrators must be found and punished. But it can be done only after an impartial investigation," Putin said, according to Reuters.

The Russian president also stressed that a solution to the Syrian crisis can only be found through peaceful means and under the auspices of the UN.

After a very calm start of the news conference, Merkel and Putin expressed some disagreements.

The two leaders have not agreed positions on the situation in Ukraine, while Putin, responding to journalists' questions, said that "nobody separated Donbas from the Ukraine - instead Kiev has set up blockades."

"We are not in agreement about the reasons of the conflict in Ukraine. The authorities in Kiev came to their positions legally and fairly. Regardless of the disagreement, we agreed to try to prevent further escalation," Merkel said.

The German Chancellor added that during the first round of talks she called on Putin to resolve the situation in Chechnya and investigate allegations of secret prisons and abuse of homosexuals.

They also spoke about political arrests in Russia and demonstrations.

"The Russian police have a much lighter hand than some in Europe," Putin responded after Merkel said that the right of citizens to protest must be ensured.

When asked about the possible interference of Russia during the elections in Germany, Merkel said she was "not fearful" and that Berlin "will respond firmly if it notices any acts of outside interference."

On the other hand, Putin said that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and remarked it was strange that journalists "in a odd way make conclusions based on ordinary rumors."