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GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA Merkel tonight walked away from much-vaunted talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin – because he was running late.
Reports later on this evening, however, suggest that they were able to set aside the earlier cancellation, and did in fact meet in Milan, although several hours later than agreed.
laurence norman / TwitterPutin strolls up to Hyatt 4 Merkel mtg in shirt/dark tie, his suit jacket hung nonchalantly over left shoulder #notacareintheworld #Ukraine
— laurence norman (@laurnorman) October 16, 2014
laurence norman / Twitter#Putin, #Merkel seems to be wrapping after 2 hrs 20. #Ukraine
— laurence norman (@laurnorman) October 16, 2014
The two leaders had been scheduled to meet at 6pm on the sidelines of the annual Asia-European meeting in Milan this evening.
Putin had been attending a military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the Societ liberation of Belgrade from Nazi occupation.
But he left the Serbian capital late, according to Bloomberg News and in response, the German chancellor’s office cancelled the meeting
Tonight’s diplomatic debacle won’t do anything to ease tensions between the two leaders, which were already building.
Earlier on today, Merkel criticised Putin for not doing enough to uphold the ceasefire between both sides of the eastern Ukrainian conflict, which was signed last month.
She said she expected to discuss the cease-fire deal, which has reduced hostilities but failed to stop all fighting.
It is above all Russia’s task to say clearly that the Minsk plan is really respected.
Unfortunately, there are still very, very big shortcomings. But it is important to seek dialogue here.
The West has imposed a series of economic sanctions against Russia since its annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March and its support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine.
Contains reporting by the Associated Press.
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She is absolutely right. Putin does this regularly to out leaders on the back foot.
Angela was dead right to high-tail it out of Milan back to Berlin this evening, especially in light of subject of celebrations that Vlad was attending in Serbia.
It was an error of diplomatic protocol within Germany in the first place to schedule such a meeting given Putin’s commitments in Belgrade en route to Milan.
Angela does a great job for Germany.
Well, they started the meeting after he arrived. Confirmed.
Haha love this. Putin on his first meeting with Merkel, brought along his labrador that was gifted to him by former head of kgb in the knowledge that Merkel had a fear of dogs having been bitten as a child. There’s a man who knows his enemy.
She has a fear of aggressive dogs but harmless lapdogs like Enda Kenny are fine.
There’s a snake and a bully. One of the most dangerous people on the planet. Sad that he has such support in Russia.
he is a pussycat compared to Nethanyahu
I’d put them in the same bracket; cold hearted murderers. They’re not alone on this planet.
You realise how much hes improved things in Russia since coming to Power?
It must be great to have a real leader rather than a spineless jellyfish running your country.
I’d hate to live in Russia.
They’d probably hate to have you living there!
No Glen they’d love me.
Enda never left Angela waiting. Good lapdog that he is.
I’ll take enda over putin any day!
you must be a snake lover so
Boring Boring zzzzzz
Roland
But your lot kept children waiting…..for justice!
Angela clearly not prepared to be put out by putin
Had to read that twice, thought it said put out for Putin.
Enda Kenny always came on time with Angela Merkel when they had their one on one
meeting…….
Those Serbs look fairly mean. Best friends of the Russians.
but of course my dear Jamie, like You do know any of us Serbs…
Remember how mean the Irish looked cheering Obama in Dublin couple of years back. Gwwaaan baccrrak
Russia is Serbia’s major ally, is it not?
And I’m not anti Serb by the way, quite the opposite. The Ottomans entered your land and slaughtered your people 400 years ago, but eventually they retreated, and left Albania and Bosnia behind them, muslim countries in Europe. Tito also fought the Nazis, whilst the Croats supported them. I have an amount of respect for the Serbs.
no worries friend, I thought it was one of those stereotypes about us. and thank you for you kind words. cheers!
I could say that we are between rock and the hard place. frankly we have no allies.
Yes you are right, its nice to see someone knows brief history and couple facts instead of spreading prejudices.
About today’s Putin’s visit, it was brief, honoring fallen heroes in WW2, and also to do some casual politics. Exporting some quantities of FIAT cars (made here in Serbia) to Russia, and also confirm previous agreements regarding “South Stream Pipeline” (most important project in a while) are some topics which were discussed… At some level it was Russia’s move to strengthen their influence in eastern Europe, and that is not welcomed by western/eu politics
@ Ненад Живић – “I could say that we are between rock and the hard place. frankly we have no allies.”
The problem I see with Serbia and ‘allies’ is that the Serbian Nationalism we saw some years ago became State Policy and was extremely hostile (to the point of war) towards its neighbours – Serbia marketed itself as a country fighting for its life, but in many cases (not all) was the aggressor. Sadly (for Serbia) the only real and meaningful support being offered to Serbia at the time was from Russia – however what Serbia has failed to realise is that Russia has no real interest in the welfare of Serbia and simply wants a Russian aircraft carrier in the sea of Western focussed countries.
But all is not lost in terms of Serbia becoming more successful and integrated into the EU and its neighbours – all one has to do is look at Germany and France, Poland and Germany, Hungary and Romania, Italy and Austria and even Ireland and The UK – there is so much history and so many open wounds and territorial sensitivities (disputes) between European countries that joining the EU may actually be the long term solution for Serbia.
I’m sitting in Szeged at the moment and understand the cross border minorities of the region – all along the border with Serbia and Croatia there are villages which have large Serbian and Croatian minorities (majorities in some villages) and south of the border there is a large ethnic Hungarian population in Vojvodina – when Serbia enters the EU and joins Shengen, so many of these potential flashpoints vanish as the borders suddenly become less rigid and minorities feel happier (certainly my view of Shengen).
Serbia will have a good future and many many friends as it moves closer to the EU and Shengen.
The Turks got as far as Vienna. They besieged the city for something like 8 months, then they left. They left behind them sacks of coffee beans. The Cappuchian monks from the city came down and found them. They weren’t sure what to do with them, so they mixed them with hot milk and the cappuchino was born!
With the Rouble in a nose dive, the flight of foreign investment and the drop in oil prices you would think the Putin wouldn’t want to irritate the last European leader that has any time for him.
Good on ya, Angela!
Turn off the gas boys.
She did what’s right,how dare he keep the leader of Ireland waiting !!
Keeping the leader of Ireland waiting seems to be a favourite pastime of Russian presidents. I remember Boris Yeltsin was too pissed to get off the plane at Shannon and poor old Albert was left scratching his Whatnots.
Kenny would probably cry.
I pity the poor critter that calls himself Mr. Merkel
Good for her
Well done Angela, revenge for Stalingrad at last. That’ll teach them Russkis.
Oh dear checkmate… Its gonna be a
cold cold Christmas..
Have to admire this woman. Remind Putin that he is not the Tsar of an all powerful empire.
You don’t mess with Merkel. She’s another Margaret thatcher. Nobody left standing from her old cabinet.
I believe they had an encounter when the Berlin wall came down, they did’nt get together that day either.
Leaders of a country, and it’s gets as small as that….. I’m so excited
Does Merkle leave her husband if he late or is this just her stance to look important. Merkle likes to think she is important
And Putin thinks he’s important!
In fairness Putin is the head of a world superpower with the second largest nuclear stockpile. That’s pretty important to me.
World power. The US is the only superpower.
And that’s why we can let him to kill other people?
it wont be for long Luke
Ah they will though.
Vlad Putin has such a complex about trying to always stand out and be important – certainly models himself on Stalin and if in other times would be as evil as Joseph was .
How dare he occupy another sovereign state just because most speak Russian – can one just imagine what he was like when he was a KGB agent during the Cold War !.
Crimea invited Russia to protect them from a coup and an anti Russian wave of Western Ukrainian nationalists. But believe the lies if you choose. Things are Much better in Crimea now. Incomes are higher, crime is down and old corruption is being rooted out of the system there. Tartar language is now official alongside Ukrainian and Russian (wasn’t under Ukraine) Tartar holidays now national holidays and a redress scheme is being planned fir descendents of families who suffered under Stalin. Just back from Crimea. Lovely place.
Quite apart from the illegality of invading and occupying part of another sovereign country, Russia’s occupation would be taken a little more seriously if they hadn’t installed a convicted organized criminal, Sergey Aksyonov, aka “The Goblin”, as Moscow’s puppet “prime minister”.
not to mention the USAs continuous invasions of sovereign nations, pot kettle
Its not a sovereign country. It has an illegally installed, NATO backed junta.
That’s some serious tinfoil hat territory there “Kieran”!
the Axis imposes economic sanctions on Russia risking a world war and the Kaisser is whinging about Putin being a bit late Mmm
Enda is Angela’s tail sure……
The picture of Putin and the Guard of Honour looks photoshopped.
the Fourth Reich will come unstuck in Russia … AGAIN..!
The photo above is photoshopped. . Shadows and light on totally opposite sides =)
All reports in the mainstream are synthetic.
Shadows and light.
Dont believe a word.
It’s going to be totes awks at the G20 in Brisbane soon. Putins going to have to spend a lot of time pretending to be doing something on his phone.
He was Russian to get there on time..
Angela Merkel must remember that Germany lost the past two world wars. And hitler is dead. She thinks she’s the third coming. While all she is a fat bag puss that should be stuffed mounted and shown in a window
I hope Putin will be able to talk some sense into her.
He won’t pretend anything or be intimidated by anyone in the g20.
Shes a busy woman needs time to sharpen her teeth
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