Spat over 'looted' art overshadows Merkel visit to Putin


  • World
  • Friday, 21 Jun 2013

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, June 21, 2013. REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk

ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel's trip to Russia on Friday to meet Vladimir Putin was overshadowed by a spat about a museum event, apparently cancelled by Russia, where she was due to refer to German art seized by the Soviets in the wake of World War Two.

"Uproar about looted art", "Putin is a miserable diplomat", "Looted art scandal overshadows Russia trip", wrote Germany's incensed media, calling it a sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries.

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