MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on May 10, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Wednesday.
The German government made an announcement of the meeting between the two leaders earlier in the day.
"It's true, we are expecting the German chancellor in Moscow on May 10. Merkel and Putin will hold talks in the Kremlin in 'narrow' and 'expanded' formats," Peskov told reporters.
The leaders are also expected to hold a joint press conference on the result of the talks, Peskov added.
Earlier in the day, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters that Merkel’s visit to Moscow was to honor the memory of people who perished in World War II. The Russian and German leaders are expected to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, the chancellor's office said.
On May 9, Russia will celebrate the 70th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. At least 26 world leaders will attend the event.
In March, Angela Merkel, as well as other European leaders, rejected an invitation to participate in Victory Day celebrations on Moscow's Red Square, citing Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
