A landmark exhibition of German art in Russia has sparked a row between Berlin and Moscow and overshadowed a meeting of the two country's leaders.

The show at St Petersburg's Hermitage museum is the first time in decades that several important pieces of art looted from Germany by Soviet soldiers at the end of the Second World War were to be shown publicly.

German government spokesman Georg Streiter said Chancellor Angela Merkel had planned to use her speech at the opening of the exhibition today to call for the return of the art in accordance with international law, said German government spokesman Georg Streiter.

He said Russia cancelled the opening speeches by Mrs Merkel and its president, Vladimir Putin, citing lack of time.

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