Putin Open to Outside Intervention in Chechnya

In a meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Putin said they would like to negotiate the problems in Chechnya with their European allies and said they are open to any proposed solutions. Putin said the war in Chechnya has been over for three years, but there are still problems. Following the meeting with Schroder, Putin said: "We have enough problems in this region and we are ready to work together very openly with our partners in Europe and Germany." He also said Russia does not have a problem with any of the leaders running for president in Ukraine. Schroder said a genuine strategic partnership can be introduced in terms of developing economic relations with Russia and said: "No one has the right to intervene in the elections in Ukraine."