German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected in Russia at the weekend for talks with President Vladimir Putin regarding escalating tensions in the Middle East, the Kremlin announced on Monday.
Tensions have spiked in the region after last week’s killing by the US of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Iran has vowed to retaliate.
The talks between Merkel and Putin are also expected to touch upon the situation in war-ravaged Syria and the conflicts in Libya and Ukraine.
Merkel wants to discuss with Putin the “current trouble spots” in the Middle East, said her spokesman, Steffen Seibert. She will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and the meeting is expected to take place at the Kremlin.
Merkel is travelling to Russia on Saturday at Putin’s invitation.
“Russia is an important actor on the world stage. And as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it is also indispensable in terms of solving political conflicts,” Seibert said.
Russia recently announced that it supports a German peace initiative for Libya. Germany is planning to hold a conference in Berlin early this year that would bring together the most important international actors in the conflict.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday evening that his country has started sending troops to the North African country, with plans to support the internationally recognized government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj in Tripoli.
The move has met with criticism from Egypt and Russia.
Merkel spoke to Erdogan by phone on Monday. The presidency said that they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments, particularly Libya and Syria.