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Dresden (dpa / sn) - Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is traveling to Moscow today on a multi-day visit.

The main focus will be on cultural relations with Russia.

But political talks are also planned, among others with Minister of Economics Maxim Reshetnikov.

Kretschmer had repeatedly spoken out in favor of lifting the sanctions against Russia.

So far it is unclear whether there will be a meeting with Putin.

Kretschmer met him in 2019 on the sidelines of an economic forum in St. Petersburg and invited him to Dresden.

Kretschmer's trip had been criticized in advance in view of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the dealings with Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny.

But Kretschmer also received encouragement and defended his position of remaining ready to talk even in difficult situations.

In Moscow he will also seek talks with people who are critical of the government, he said.

The highlight of the visit on Thursday is the opening of a joint exhibition by the Dresden State Art Collections and the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow on Romantic painting.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210420-99-282335 / 2