Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has concluded her last meeting as leader of Germany with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. /Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
In 16 years, Angela Merkel Merkel has met President Vladimir Putin 16 times. That's despite major points of disagreement, such as the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Merkel took the opportunity to once again demand his release from jail, where he remains for violating a suspended prison sentence. Angela Merkel reaffirmed his incarceration is politically motivated, pointing to a judgment by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
"We spoke about the depressing situation of Alexei Navalny," the Merkel told reporters after the talks. "I have demanded once again from the president to release Navalny and I have made it clear that we will remain on the case," she said.
Earlier on Friday, Russia released its latest report detailing its assessment of what happened, which differs strikingly from Germany's. It also attacks Germany for accusing Russia of poisoning Navalny in August last year but failing to provide any evidence.
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The two also discussed the power grab by the Taliban in Afghanistan, with Putin emphasizing this is the political reality in the country and that discussions about what to do next need to work from that basis.
Russia foresees a key role for the United Nations Security Council in determining Afghanistan's future – a club of five nations of which it is a permanent member along with China, the UK, the U.S. and France.
Putin had some advice for nations that might be thinking of using this as an opportunity to impose their values on another, saying Russia knows Afghanistan very well and that from first-hand experience it is counter-productive to impose foreign political ideas on Afghanistan.
Merkel used the visit to request help from Russia, asking that it uses its close contacts with the Taliban in Kabul to help ensure the safety of people Germany would like to evacuate from the city.
Russia has been talking to the Taliban for years, despite it being designated a terrorist organization in Russia. But those friendly contacts paid dividends when the Taliban advanced on Kabul, with Russian diplomats and its ambassador feeling comfortable enough to remain while the transition took place.
The two leaders also spoke about the unstable situation in eastern Ukraine, with Putin admitting peace there is elusive. Merkel expressed a strong desire to make some sort of diplomatic progress to help stop the continuing violence there, before she leaves office. She is due to visit its capital Kyiv on Sunday.