China News Agency, Moscow, February 15 (Zhang Mengtian Bing) Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with German Chancellor Scholz in Moscow on the 15th. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional hotspot issues.

This is Scholz's first visit to Russia since he took over as German chancellor last December.

　　Putin told a joint news conference after the talks that the talks were held in a pragmatic atmosphere.

He said that Germany is one of Russia's priority partners in Europe, and he saw Scholz's attitude of preparing for further pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia.

　　Putin said that energy cooperation plays a special role in bilateral economic cooperation.

Russia currently supplies more than one-third of Germany's energy needs, with oil accounting for 34% and natural gas accounting for 35.4%.

In 2021, Russia will supply 50.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Germany.

"Even in the face of high gas prices and a shortage of supplies in Europe, Russia continues to secure the supply of fuel to German consumers at prices set in long-term contracts."

　　When talking about the "Nord Stream-2" natural gas pipeline project, Putin said that the German state regulator is conducting the certification process for the "Nord Stream-2" project, however, from a technical point of view, the project has been fully completed since December last year. put into operation.

He pointed out that "Nord Stream-2" is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, aiming to strengthen the energy security of the European continent and help to solve pan-European economic and environmental problems.

He emphasized that "North Stream-2" is a purely commercial project without political overtones.

　　In addition, Putin said that if there is demand, Russia is ready to continue to supply natural gas to Europe through Ukraine after 2024.

　　When talking about the situation in Europe, Putin said that Russia does not want war.

"That's why we propose a negotiating process that should result in an agreement that ensures equal security for all nations, including ours."

　　When asked about further Russian actions on the situation around Ukraine, Putin replied that it would be "as planned".

He explained that it would be based on "the real situation on the ground" and that it would not only depend on Russia.

　　Scholz said the West was very concerned about the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, but he did not think the possibility of diplomatic good offices had been exhausted: "It is time to work resolutely and courageously for a peaceful resolution of this crisis."

　　Putin stressed that the Ukrainian side refused to implement the Minsk agreement and should resolve the issue of guarantees that Ukraine would not join NATO.

Scholz said the issue of NATO's eastward expansion was not on the agenda.

He pointed out that all parties, including Ukraine and Russia, should abide by the Minsk Agreement and recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk "would be a political disaster".

　　Putin reiterated Russia's main position on the issue of security, stressing that the United States and NATO should abide by the basic principle of indivisible security.

The U.S. and NATO responses to security recommendations did not meet Russia's three basic requirements.

He also said that Russia will seek to resolve security issues through diplomacy and is ready to discuss some of the initiatives included in the responses of the United States and NATO.

"But these must be discussed together with fundamental issues that are of vital importance to Russia."

　　Putin said that the West's strong containment of Russia is seen as a direct threat to Russia's national security, and he again urged the West to abandon such practices.

　　Scholz said that when there is difficulty in European peace and security, there must be communication and dialogue.

Germany is ready to further establish dialogue for common security.

　　In addition, the two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation in the humanities and climate change issues.

　　Scholz visited Ukraine on the 14th and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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