The trip to Moscow is Angela Merkel's last to Russia as Chancellor before she leaves in just over a month.

Vladimir Putin, who speaks German, handed over a bouquet of flowers to the resigning Merkel, who speaks Russian, before the meeting.

High on the agenda was the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the stagnant peace talks between Kiev and the pro-Russian separatists.

- My advice is to keep this format alive and not just let it run out into the sand.

Despite the fact that progress has not been made at the pace we were hoping for, Merkel said at a press conference.

Putin: Respect Navalny's verdict

Vladimir Putin did not sound as hopeful, but said that according to him, it seems that the Ukrainian authorities in Kiev are taking steps to leave the talks.

The imprisoned Russian critic of the regime, Alexei Navalny, was also the subject of discussion.

The meeting took place on the anniversary of the poison attack on Navalny - which was not a coincidence according to Merkel's staff.

"I demanded that the Russian president release Navalny," Merkel said.

But Putin maintains that Navalny is not imprisoned for political reasons.

"I ask that the verdicts issued in Russia be treated with respect," Putin said.

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In the clip: He has been described as the man Putin fears the most. But who is Alexei Navalny? Photo: TT