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Hard Times in Russo-German Relations, Dialogue Needed - Merkel

© Sputnik / Sergey Guneev / Go to the mediabankRussian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have confirmed their mutual intention to continue promoting Ukrainian reconciliation, including in the Normandy format, the Kremlin press service said
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have confirmed their mutual intention to continue promoting Ukrainian reconciliation, including in the Normandy format, the Kremlin press service said - Sputnik International
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Due to the Ukrainian crisis, the relations between Russia and Germany in 2015 are going through tough times, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, when greeting participants before the start of the 13th conference of Russian and German sister cities.

Speaking before the conference, Merkel stressed that Russia and Germany should use each and every opportunity to re-establish a direct dialogue.

"2015 is marked by a serious examination in the relations between Germany and Russia. First of all, the situation in Ukraine led to significant differences [in opinion]. This is why it is essential to use every opportunity to establish an open dialogue," the German Chancellor said.

The conference of Russian and German sister cities is taking place in the city of Karlsruhe in southwest Germany. The event brings together over 400 representatives from Russian and German cities and public organizations.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens to a debate of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, June 18, 2015 - Sputnik International
Germans Urge Merkel to Make Peace With Russia – German Newspaper
During the conference, meetings of the five working groups will be held, which open up new landscapes for exchange of experience, including economic cooperation, local self-governance, vocational training, social and historical activities.

Earlier, activists of a German peace initiative appealed to German Chancellor for the peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and an organization of a multilateral conference with Russia's participation to discuss possible way outs.

Members of the German peace initiative Bad Tolz-Wolfratshausen wrote a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to express their concerns about the situation in Ukraine and promote peaceful resolution of the crisis, Sueddeutsche Zeitung wrote.

The activists called for the military disarmament and organization of a European peace conference involving the United States and Russia, taking into account increasing tensions between NATO and Russia.

The escalation of the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, further anti-Russian sanctions, US weapons supplies to Ukraine as well as the increase of NATO forces from 13,000 to 40,000 soldiers are the main factors driving German citizens in appeals of that kind.    

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