GERMANY – Frank-Walter Steinmeier has met with President Vladimir Putin during his first visit to Russia as Germany's president. Having pointed out the historical ties between the two nations, Steinmeier said he considers improving relations with Moscow as his personal obligation to the European people.

Russia and Germany "are connected by over a thousand years of collective history," the German politician told journalists in Moscow after talks with the Russian president. Steinmeier pointed out that history could not be viewed in black-or-white categories, and that he sees it as "very important" to establish dialogue with Moscow, in contrast to the cooling of relations over the past years. The German president said he would "personally contribute" to such a process.