Putin-Merkel Meeting to Discuss Ukraine, Belarus & Afghanistan

LOCAL NEWS

• Putin to meet Merkel today in Moscow with Ukraine, Belarus and Afghanistan among the key topics of discussion.
  • Merkel said tensions in Crimea, and gas transit through Ukraine would be key components of the agenda while Navalny issues continue to cause frictions in relations
• Nord Stream 2 says reports that the pipeline would be complete by Aug 23 were "speculation", saying it would reveal the completion date in due time.
  • Experts, however, predict gas supplies could start flowing through NS2 as early as October with 5.6bn cubic meters expected to be supplied within this year assuming the pipeline reaches 70% capacity by December.
  • Also note the chance that both strings of NS2 will be commissioned, given the stark gas shortage in Europe
• Medical expert says Russia could reach herd immunity by end-2021 with the process of forming collective immunity "going well".
  • Notes the problem is not vaccine supply but vaccine hesitancy.
  • The initial target for herd immunity was autumn 2021, but has been pushed back as a result of broad hesitancy with 55% of Russians questioning whether they would get vaccinated
• Putin holds discussing with Italian PM Draghi over situation in Afghanistan – both calling for a consolidation of international efforts to establish peace and security on the ground.
  • Both also expressed interest in developing mutually beneficial ties in various fields of cooperation