German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he hopes they will discuss the unresolved conflict in eastern Ukraine and the civil war in Syria.
Putin has welcomed Merkel to his residence in the Black Sea city of Sochi. It's Merkel's first visit to Russia in two years.
In opening the talks, Putin said: "We must use this opportunity to talk about our relations and about more problematic issues, such as Ukraine and Syria and perhaps some other regions."
Tuesday's meeting comes amid tensions over Germany's support for the sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine.
Putin, however, appears eager to improve ties.
