MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is a sincere person and keen to resolve the situation in southeastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
"I am certain that she is a very sincere person," the president said in an interview with the German Bild newspaper when asked if he trusts Merkel.
"There is a framework within which she has to work but I have no doubt that she is sincere in her efforts to find solutions, including to the situation in southeast Ukraine," the Russian leader said.
He also noted his respect for Merkel. "I have already said that she is very sincere and highly professional. In any case, I think the level of trust between us is very high," Putin said.