An apology 17 years later. Vladimir Putin returned this Thursday, November 28, to an unusual episode that occurred when former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was on an official visit to Sochi, Russia, in January 2007: while the two leaders were talking, sitting in armchairs in front of the cameras , the Russian president's labrador had burst at their feet.
In Freedomher memoirs published Tuesday, Angela Merkel explains that she experienced this moment very badly, recalling that she has a phobia of dogs. Details that Vladimir Putin was quick to comment on during a press conference Thursday evening.
“If you ever come back, I won’t do it again.”
“Angela, excuse me, I didn't mean to hurt you. I wanted to create a favorable atmosphere for our conversation. I apologize to you,” he said.
“I understand that it is unlikely today, but if you come back one day, I will not do it again,” the Russian president said again, with a smile on his lips.
Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel were leaders at the same time for twelve years and therefore met on multiple occasions, notably to discuss the situation in Ukraine, until the German Chancellor retired from political life in 2021.
In her book, Angela Merkel describes the Russian president as “a man who is perpetually on the lookout, afraid of being mistreated and always ready to throw punches, including playing games of power with a dog and keeping others waiting.”
However, she says she “continues to think” that “despite all the difficulties (…) she did well to have insisted (…) not to let contacts with Russia break down (… ) and also to preserve links through commercial relations, beyond mutual economic benefits”.
Original article published on BFMTV.com
