OREANDA-NEWS. Talks between Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have begun in the Kremlin.

At the very beginning of the meeting, the Russian leader presented his interlocutor with a bouquet of flowers in white and pink tones.

When Putin addressed Merkel with a welcoming speech, a telephone ringtone sounded in the hall. It turned out that the chancellor had apparently forgotten to turn off or switch to silent mode her cell phone. Recovering herself, she took the phone out of her pocket and turned it off. Putin did not react to the incident and continued his speech.

As the President noted at the part of the meeting open to journalists, the leaders of the two countries have many issues on the agenda that require personal discussion.

In turn, Merkel confirmed that this is her farewell visit, but it will take place in a working environment.

During a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that there are many issues that require discussion in a personal format, and the visit of the head of the FRG government is not only a farewell, but also a business one.

Negotiations between the President of the Russian Federation and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany began in Moscow at 14.07.

"We have many issues that require discussion in a personal format, so I am sure it will not only be a farewell visit associated with your decision not to be elected further as Federal Chancellor, but also a visit filled with such a serious, businesslike core," - said Putin.

The head of the German government, apparently, came to the Russian capital for the last time in this status. In September, elections to the Bundestag will be held, in which Merkel will not participate. As noted in the Kremlin, the format of the negotiations does not imply the signing of any documents.