Merkel to meet Putin in Paris

German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel is planning to have bilateral meetings with Presidents of Russia Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Normandy-format summit in Paris, German government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer said.

"The chancellor will go to Paris next Monday in order to attend the Normandy-format meeting," Interfax cited her as saying.

The spokesperson said that Merkel is due to meet with Putin at 3 p.m local time.

Demmer added that Merkel will also have a bilateral meeting with President of Ukraine Vladymir Zelensky at 3:30 p.m.

The Normandy-format summit will be held in Paris on December 9. The format, which promotes settlement in Ukraine, comprises Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France.