Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin to discuss Afghanistan, other ‘big’ issues

Germany-Russia gas pipeline, Belarus and conflict in Ukraine, among the topics to be discussed

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold talks in Moscow on Friday amid the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan and as Russia’s treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny and Ukraine remain a source of ongoing tension between the two leaders’ countries. Other challenging issues that are certain to play a role in the meeting are a gas pipeline between Russia and Germany opposed by the United States, the repression of dissent in Belarus, and allegations that the Belarusian government has channeled migrants into Latvia, Lithuania and Poland with the aim of destabilizing the European Union. Ms. Merkel’s visit to Moscow comes as the chancellor is nearing the end of her almost 16-year-long leadership of Germany. She and Putin, who has served as both, Russia’s president and prime minister, managed to maintain a line of communication over the years despite their many political differences.