Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a rare apology to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 17 years after bringing his dog to a formal meeting with her in 2007.
During a press conference in Moscow, Putin told reporters that he had no intention of intimidating Merkel and was unaware of her fear of dogs.
Meanwhile, Angela Merkel, in her recently published memoir, described the experience as unpleasant and suggested that Putin had deliberately used his dog to intimidate her as a show of power.
Responding to Merkel’s account, Putin emphasized that he never intended to upset her. He said, “Angela, please forgive me; I did not mean to cause you discomfort.”
This incident, long viewed as a notable moment in diplomatic history, continues to spark discussions about the dynamics of power and intent in international relations.
