Putin might meet Schroeder and Chirac in Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov does not rule out the possibility of Vladimir Putin's meeting Gerhard Schroeder and Jacques Chirac in Moscow.

"It is true that the French president and the German chancellor will really come to Moscow simultaneously," the minister told reporters.

"There is nothing unusual in the fact the leaders might decide to meet in any format," said Mr. Lavrov.

French President Jacques Chirac will make an official visit to Russia on April 1-2.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will visit Russia briefly on April 2. His visit will be timed to the opening of the Year of German Culture in Russia.

Mr. Lavrov recalled that the European leaders would meet in different formats.

"This meets the new progressive political methods introduced all over the world today," said the foreign minister.