Merkel, Putin hold talks on tough issues

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (1st R) talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) at the Schloss Meseberg, north of Berlin, Germany, on Aug. 18, 2018. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in north of Berlin on Saturday, with the topics ranging from Syria, Ukraine, Iran as well as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)