Putin arrives in Germany to meet Merkel over Iran, Kosovo issues

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-15-2007 15:10

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) is welcomed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel upon his arrival at the restaurant "Adler Wirtschaft" for bilateral talks in Hattenheim near the city of Wiesbaden October 14, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in Germany for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Formal talks begin on Monday and the pair are expected to discuss sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, and the future of the Serbian province of Kosovo.

Russia opposes plans to give Kosovo independence from Serbia. It is also skeptical about efforts in the UN Security Council to impose tougher sanctions against Tehran. Putin said last week that he saw no "objective data" proving that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons.

Later on Monday, Putin and Merkel are to join the three-day Petersburg Dialogue, a forum designed to bring Russian and German societies closer together. After leaving Germany, Putin is scheduled to visit Iran, despite reported assassination plot on him in Tehran.