German Chancellor Angela Merkel openly criticized US President Donald Trump in Berlin for leaving the Paris Climate Agreement. She added that this deal will not be negotiated at the G20 Summit next week in Hamburg. "There is no return to the Paris Climate Agreement, and this document can not be negotiated," Angela Merkel said in the Bundestag when she spoke to MPs about the forthcoming G20 summit, which will be held in Hamburg late next week.
Open conflict
She announced the "self-confident" performance of Europeans for the G20 when it comes to protecting the climate goals and defending free trade principles around which an open conflict with US President Donald Trump is expected.
"Disagreement with Washington is obvious. And it would be unfair if we tried to hide this conflict and thrust it under the rug. I will not do that in any case, "Merkel said. She announced that she would try to find solutions to global challenges with the leaders of the world's leading powers in Hamburg.
"Only by working together can we overcome these problems. "Merkel said, adding that she was" convinced that isolation policy" was not a solution. In the end, she appealed to the protesters, who have been gathering for weeks in Hamburg, to "protest with peaceful means". Opposition representatives have asked the chancellor to "sharply oppose" Donald Trump when it comes to the issue of climate protection.
Today, Angela Merkel meets with Berlin leaders of European countries participating in the G20 summit.
Lavrov assumes Trump and Putin will meet in Hamburg
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that "it would probably not be okay" if Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump would not talk at the G20 Summit that is scheduled for next month in Hamburg.
Lavrov told this at a press conference with the German head of diplomacy in Krasnodar, southern Russia, saying there is nothing to add to the media speculation about plans for a formal bilateral meeting at the summit. "We suppose that they will come in contact as they both will be at the same time in the same city, the same building, the same room," Lavrov said.
If Putin and Trump do meet, it will be their first meeting eye-to-eye. In his words, it is crucial that the two presidents have the chance to discuss the issues in Syria and try to seek a peaceful settlement. Lavrov said that it is vital to "normalize" the relationship between Russia and the US.
