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Dresden / Moscow (dpa) - Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is traveling to Moscow on Wednesday for 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.
The trip had been criticized in advance in view of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the dealings with the imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexej Navalny.
Kretschmer had previously defended his trip in the middle of the corona pandemic.
In his opinion, the revival of a conversation was "sorely needed" at all levels, he said before the trip.
On the day of his arrival, Nawalny's supporters across the country announced protests.
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Kretschmer had repeatedly spoken out in favor of lifting the sanctions against Russia.
It is still unclear whether there will be a meeting with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
Kretschmer met him in 2019 on the sidelines of an economic forum in St. Petersburg and invited him to Dresden.
Kretschmer said he would also seek talks in Moscow with people who are critical of the government.
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: 210421-99-288787 / 2