Merkel-Putin, signs of thaw. After yesterday the Russian president ordered the withdrawal of troops from occupied areas on Ukrainian territory, German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Vladimir Putin to discuss preparations for the negotiations to be held on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe summit (ASEM) in Milan on 16-17 October.
This was announced by the Kremlin's press service: as previously reported and confirmed, Putin will regularly participate in the summit scheduled in the Lombard capital next Thursday and Friday. At the invitation of the Italian government, the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko will also be in Milan.
