Russia`s Putin To Visit Berlin As Gas Row Escalate

Putin is expected in Berlin on Jan. 16 and is likely to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will travel to Berlin next week in the midst of a row between Moscow and Ukraine that has severely hit gas supplies to central and western Europe, German officials said on Wednesday.

Putin is expected in Berlin on Jan. 16 and is likely to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

A spokeswoman for the foreign ministry said her ministry was aware of plans for Putin to visit the agricultural fair "Gruene Woche", which is to take place in Berlin. Another German official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the visit but gave no details about Putin's agenda.

Putin's visit falls in the midst of a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which caused Russian gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine to be shut down completely on Wednesday and left several European states without Russian fuel.