Putin, Merkel seek cooperation on fighting COVID-19

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed cooperation in tackling the coronavirus pandemic during their phone conversation, the Kremlin said in a statement Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

Putin and Merkel focused on opportunities for cooperation in joint vaccine production, and they agreed on further contacts between the two countries' healthcare ministries and other relevant departments on this issue.

The leaders also touched upon Ukraine's domestic conflict and wished each other a merry Christmas and a happy new year, according to the statement.