Merkel and Putin to discuss Afghanistan and other major issues in Moscow meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin presents flowers to German Chancellor Angela Merkel during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel travelled to Russia on Friday to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan, the separatist conflict in Ukraine and Moscow’s treatment of imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, among other issues.

Ms Merkel’s visit to Moscow comes as she is nearing the end of her almost 16-year-long leadership of Germany.