MOSCOW, February 9 /TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel intentionally criticized Russia’s activities in Syria during her visit to Turkey, Alexey Pushkov, the head of the Russian State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with the Rossiya 1 TV channel on Tuesday.

Merkel told a joint news conference held jointly with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that she had been horrified by the suffering of tens of dozens of civilians caused by bombardments, including those carried out by the Russian side.

"Of course, the place where it was said is also important. Angela Merkel understands perfectly that Turkish-Russian relations have been strained to the maximum," Pushkov said adding that the German chancellor was still holding a tough and non-constructive stance on Russia.