12 January

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to work together to bring stability to the Middle East amid increased hostility between the United States and Iran.

Merkel and Putin met in Moscow on Saturday. At a joint news conference after their talks, Merkel welcomed Iran's acknowledgement that it accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet. She said it is good that those responsible have been identified. Merkel called for a thorough investigation, saying "everything has to be done to find a solution."

Putin urged both the US and Iran to avoid major military actions, which he said would be a catastrophe not only for the Middle East, but for the entire world. The two leaders also reaffirmed they will continue their efforts to keep the Iranian nuclear deal alive. Washington unilaterally walked out of it in 2018.

On the ongoing civil war in Libya, Merkel announced her intention to host peace talks in Berlin. Putin strongly supported the idea and called it timely.—NHK