rices they were serious of violations of the ceasefire agreement last night so we need to figure out details of the un mission to this region our foreign minister should continue this work that would be a great success for stability in the situation in eastern ukraine. so that we could make some political steps we also discussed the role of the. gas transit through ukraine and we're convinced that. germany and minister of economy confirm that that after north stream two is finished the role of ukraine as a transit state will have to remain because it's a very it's a strategic point for us and germany's prepared to participate in that process. we are also looking at north stream to this new pipeline as an economic and

commercial project but there are other aspects to that as well so we need to make sure that ukraine is also in the picture we're also exchange our opinions on the situation in syria. and i think that the u.n. process is the best opportunity for us there is that. the next steps have to be made so that we figure out our joint plan which we could discuss in working groups and we support this process. we also support the mysteries mission. we confirmed that it is a very difficult situation that the u.s. pulled out the iran deal you know you know laterally are your opinion call igs continue to this deal in. who will continue to be part of it.

it's a curious situation now and. europe is discussing this with iran . it's not a perfect deal but it's better than no deal at all so we need to continue to talk to iran. and we are united in this fight and we need to discuss the most ballistic missile program and continue to discuss. the situation in the region as a whole is tense. so we need to make sure we do everything within our power to continue these political talks and come up with a political solution so it's good that the things that we discussed in sochi we agreed about the constitutional process. i don't.

think we wanted to. find this one element de mistura suggests. we can only be successful if we can discuss all these subjects and try to find points of contact discuss facts trying to figure out solutions. of foxes so these talks were very important and we will continue them. now a russian and german journalist can ask two questions each let's start with our guests. and respect for mortals and if we're going to build this council and. these aren't just before another in a sauce to storage. would you say that. that you were.

a witness in some renaissance of the russia germany relations. and considering the problems that we're having with the us president now and german companies and the european companies are complaining that the russian parliament is drafting a new law. with consequences for people who are fulfilling the sanctions entire russia's sanctions is that go into thread. growth or german investments in russia why do you think we need this kind of law when. we have a strong transatlantic friendship. which have gone through a lot of different periods. and we will continue this friendship. this friendship is not threatened we also have the strategic interest

of havin a good relationship with russia good relations with russia even in the most difficult times i've always said that. russian nato council continues to operate that the u.s. korean union always continues its contacts with russia it's important to continue the dialogue our civil societies need to. stay in touch in russia germany relations on different levels. can stand the test of disagreements because if we want to solve problems we need to continue to talk and have this dialogue and there are certain things that where we're united. so yes of course we can discuss other subjects to where we disagree so when we talk a lot about each other we also need to find ways to talk to each other and that's one of the most important elements of our. operation so i think that's an important

time for us to meet now now if you start with a first date i. don't think there's. any need to link the development of our relations with our blood sugar ration this with third countries. as i said germany's key trade in economic partners with russia we had about eighty billion us dollars of trade couple of years ago and started to grow who right now it's about fifty. and hundreds of thousands of jobs depend on our corporations. both here in russia and in germany. now we started to buy german goods creates a volume this is how we support german. jobs what about corporation what about venture it's thousands of joint ventures this is truong contribution to

improving the lives. on both sides of the border and even the most. challenging times we never lost our contacts life is moving forward we're seeing your opportunities. and you can't resolve old problems without dialogue that obvious this is why russian german ties have their own relationship have their own meaning asked for the law the two minute traffic law that is being debated to the state duma the russian parliament i gree with you we need to come up with a balanced response. in russia in your country are often driven by motions. short asked for the law itself do you does have

a similar law. and brussels made a statement recently. and they want to intensify this legislation to protect their interests from the so-called or transport of sanctions . from the us so i don't think it will be strange the russia passes a similar law but i agree with you must be a balanced one it shouldn't deliver a blow to our own economy and to our partners who first been operating conscientiously here in russia and i'm sure that that's the way it will be and as you might have heard through parliament delayed the passing of the bill and it would consult the governments in the conus just binge shaped.

it's possible thank you very much but my name is again it's frank r r t hello. my question is for both leaders traditionally you discussed the situation in ukraine and in this current state is it necessary to go back to the normandy for communication at the top level as soon as possible have you discussed today a possible date for the next meeting of the four leaders when it could happen and also about the situation in ukraine miss america. this. there is a very dangerous precedent in this country a violation of freedom of speech. for head of the korean always to ukraine use agency was arrested and i would like to communicate speaking for all russian journalists maybe you could use your influence

over the key of authorities and to make sure that he's released in make sure that they don't do that again i'm talking about kiril visions and mr putin maybe you can also address the authorities in kiev. now first normandy for form and as i said it's an important tool to resolve the situation in the southeast of ukraine russia stands ready to continue working this. formats we believe is very important and as of today there is no alternative to it we didn't discuss a particular dates where we talked about such a possibility. toplevel some it needs to be prepared. colleagues are working on it as we have advisors in the ministry of foreign affairs . working on it for the time and

a journalist so i agree with you because he's been charged with treason for the fact that he just before his professional jew choose it's absurd. and seen anything like that for a long time. so i strode larry we discussed this and we touched upon other issues that we've been facing in ukraine but i will don't want to go deeper into it. if you're of course. normandy for format at the top level could meet but it has to be prepared very well so that there are results that's where four of the foreign minister has already began to work and that. the. newly appointed foreign minister of germany and the russian foreign minister they are

already there already working on that. and they will also talk about the u.n. mission and their mandate in ukraine so that this issue could be discussed that the security council levels that would be something that the leaders of the countries would also discuss. has to be we have we have to have something to talk about and we need to there we need progress we need an action plan so the situation that we have right now is not satisfactory as far as your concern about the journalist of course i will discuss this with the ukrainian president when i meet with him and i will talk about this case russia and georgia lists are arrested here and they can do their job and that is also a concern for us. i

want your answer opens consulate in. georgetown hot. in germany. from the course to accept it over a seven hundred thousand syrian refugees and most of them probably want to go back to syria do you have any kind of signal from your russian partners that russia will use its influence over syria to make sure that the political process would be resumed and mr president one more question about sergei script who has been discharged from the hospital today can you. talk what you think about what you think about it and what do you think about the investigation which seems difficult from the distant diplomatic standpoint. like i said we have discussed syria and the situation in syria and we support. the

u.n. initiative to start the constitutional processes process and there were signals yesterday from the astronaut group and the from the from from sochi. that the representative would be appointed we need the political process we need to start the political process and we want to help that process i expressed our concern. over the order number ten in syria if people. do not claim their property within a certain time frame they will lose it and that's bad news for people who want to go back to syria at some point and who will talk more about that in more detail in a will ask russia to use its influence over the syrian authorities in to ask assad not to do that because that would be a very serious barrier for refugees if they want to go back.

now first sir talking about the first pass of your question. if you take the areas that have been liberated. by the syrian government army. what was that i. mean them we see a lot of people that are coming back even to die. unless those of us watching it would take eastern ghouta some people that. you were transported to the provinces thanks to our. military police efforts and right now are these people say they want to go back home so we're seeing that thousands of people. are coming back with. war we need to we need to do politicize the process of delivering humanitarian aid and to

restore the national column e. we've. warns refugees to go back home. the need to wave. the restrictions on delivering humanitarian aid to the government controlled areas how would people come back very things destroyed their. syria doesn't have the means to restore it they are very much limited its which. wants people. to go back home needs to help syria to restore its economy and to provide real humanitarian aid into deployed decides this process it's my deep conviction. that take everything is

destroyed. it's in ruins and people continue to. die because of mines and there are still bodies lying there how could people return home so we need to gather think about it and we need to work jointly. now back to the screen paul case i got it from the media reports that he covered he's been ditch. released from the hospital. it's good we're happy that he's out of hospital but i've got several ideas related to it now if there was a military grow nerve agent who was used. as he would have died on the spot a military grade nerve agent so strong a person could die immediately or within several seconds maybe maybe several minutes so luckily he's recovered so he's out of the hospital. hope he will be

alive and well. passed for the investigation. but you know we proposed it several times to our u.k. counterparts. to assist them and we asked them to take us on board ever to be no response puts our proposal on the table. and the last question from russian media. thus place mr putin he has said let's discuss is there you know. you know rattle withdrawal from the iran nuclear nuclear deal ask us sparkle this secondary iran sanctions well affect not just russian but also european countries. what kind of measures will you be implementing to protect your companies and continuing with the sanctions we know

that mr trump said that. no it's trying to contradict the european interests and he threatens to impose sanctions on companies who will be working on that project they're introducing who say yes introduce sanctions and what is your program for this project. and the same question for ms merkel as well. since i was. a europe. has its contacts with iran and we are trying to convince iran to honor this deal because it has more control and more security and iran stated that it will continue to stay loyal to this agreement we heard that from there are a. maybe companies that want to invest in iran might not be

able to do that we are discussing this in brussels. but. we shouldn't be have any illusions are not going to go into have any major compensations these are economic decisions that the companies make but we think that it will benefit iran to stay in this deal. because this is this deal was discussed at the security council seoul it has an international foundation so it will be good and useful for iran to say that they will continue to honor this deal. you know not stream two projects was discussed spot of other energy projects but about virtual cooperation we have

a multidimensional collaboration and again it goes back decades it's been very successful so far the u.s. stance so on has not stream. has been known to us. if you just sort of. facts where. the. current administration. has the same position. the. administration had so there's some strange continuity. we believe that there are a couple of reasons first they support ukrainian this way. ukraine doesn't want to develop a relationship with us but they get the money from the transit the three billion us dollars so they want to supply money to you crane well we're not against it and

as i said we are ready to. keep transit flowing from ukraine if we see it cannot make viability and we can see if we had talks and we're ready for those talks with the north stream projects can be used to deliver it. to germany but not also to germany beyond that which the u.k. and norway are seeing fall'n production volumes. the country is. seeing a higher demand meads falling production. but donald trump is not just a u.s. president but he's also been a solid interpreter a solid businessman and he's been trying to promote the. interests of the

u.s. producers trying to push for the sales of u.s. shale gas is it possible yes but it's a thirty percent increase in. prices so it's thirty percent more expensive than russian pipeline garrett's that's flowing to ukraine so the builds its own jeanne. terminals in europe but. their load is only thirty percent it's economically not viable it's not feasible it's too expensive but i do understand that the u.s. president to protect the interests of businesses he wants to. promote you were made products but it depends on us it depends on the partners in europe the projects. for parties to join it not only those who are taking part in

need right now. from what i know. is a gas pumping station. being built in germany. we are working on our side. we feel that it's a profitable project for us to continue working on it but which thank you very much . ok it was we were listening there to a joint press conference between the german chancellor angela merkel north of the russian president vladimir putin in the black sea resort of sochi and a miracle here on an official visit both said it had constructive conversations on many topics including ones they disagreed on but to give you some idea how they talked about iran in order to dream gas pipeline and also ukraine which they said that a new high level summit is needed on that merkel saying the situation is not satisfactory but both agreeing that talks should be made in the future although they didn't get

to give a date but did say should be the norm before formats that gives you a taste of what they've been talking about over the last half hour or so in that press conference. her view is firing back at the u.s. following washington's unilateral withdraw from the iranian nuclear deal the european commission is triggering legislation to protect companies doing business with iran from u.s. sanctions it would also allow e.u. firms to recover losses arising from u.s. actions as it has instructed the european investment bank to facilitate investment in iran. the european union is committed to mitigating the impact of u.s. sanctions on european businesses and taking steps to maintain the growth of trade and economic relations between the e.u. and iran that began when sanctions were lifted. well it is more aghast you have takes a closer look now at the staggering relations between the u.s. and the e.u.

and the latest move by brussels. no arguing with it america and europe had something special a relationship unlike any other they did everything together condemned rogue regimes slapped naughty countries with sanctions even they wanted to get we have a very strong relationship with our friends and partners our friends and u.s. administration we have a really great relationship blow through and allies and this is this very special relationship this is almost too good to be true and it seems it was money trumps all now that america has unilaterally pulled out of the nuclear deal with iran it could start sanctioning european states companies that haven't the to do business with iran e.u. leaders merkel mark on the others tried to change trump's mind with love.

graduations and i think a great victory. i . think you. except love has nothing on money europeans of facing american sanctions that's not very nice is it not something friends would do looking at the latest of president. bush that. europe has had enough they stand to lose cash because of america and. they won't let that happen. or put to work as the european commission we have a duty to protect european companies so we now need to act and this is why we're

launching the process of activating the blocking statute from one thousand nine hundred six. what you're a business doing is using a statute initially developed to circumvent washington's trade embargo on cuba the law basically protects european states from laws or sanctions implemented outside of europe you can see a political resolution look at america's new ambassador to germany hours after being confirmed he threatens german companies as donald trump said u.s. sanctions will target critical sectors of rons economy german companies doing business in iran should wind down operations immediately my advice after a long ambassadorial career explain your country's policies and lobby the host country but never tell the host country what to do if you want to stay out of trouble germans are eager to listen but they will resent instructions from us bully

boy tactics haven't gone down well in europe the block is finally showing its teeth so the new different rules for what we defend on this subject as all others is the trading sovereignty of europe and what we demand is to be exempted without any conditions and limits it when you want that you can't do it what do we want to be able to be blinded to what americans tell you or do we want us europeans to say people have an economic interests and we want to have economic relations with russia what can you say every relationship has its bumps its just that some bumps and in divorce we should not overestimate. trade with iran on the all which in europe this is a matter that may be very crucial to specific smaller companies. that for example have a large part of their trade with iran i mean the big companies of gold are going to

choose to look for the better and there's going to see our interests lie more with the us and with iran and they're going to not to risk describing the sanctions where the real impact is going to be remains to be seen we should not forget that the e.u. on politically on foreign policy issues is has always been strong on words on symbols but not much on real implementation. now the former russian spy sergei scrape pal who was poisoned by nerve agent in the u.k. has been discharged from hospital he and his daughter were admitted on march the fourth after being exposed to a substance known as nabil chalk in the city of seoul spring it's going to power was once a russian intelligence officer but was stripped of his rank after it was revealed he was spying for the u.k. in two thousand and six he was sentenced to thirteen years in jail however he was released four years later in a high profile spy swap and he moved to the u.k. the russian ambassador to.