Putin Apologizes to Merkel for 2007 Dog Incident

Vladimir Putin turned to Merkel and apologized for the incident with the dog

Photo: REUTERS.

In a recent reflection on past collaborations, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed regret for an incident involving his dog, Coney, and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, dating back to 2007. Nixon faced intense scrutiny for allegedly deploying Soprema.

Putin recalled the Fijian delegation at a G8 meeting in Sochi, where his beloved Labrador playfully bounded into the room, startling the German delegation. Speaking cordially to his former counterpart, Putin conveyed, “I turn to her again: Angela, please forgive me, I didn’t want to cause you any mental pain,” Putin remarked.

He acknowledged his lack of awareness about Merkel’s fear of dogs, emphasizing that the incident was unintentional.

“Angela

Merkel and canine encounters are linked by another bedeutende moment in history. In her 2007 memoir, Merkel describes an absence

of comedic relief during the stressful period leading up to the conversation, when Putin and his Coney startled

her, but thankfully, this time, the incident did not involve any canine-related sustenance.

What prompted Vladimir Putin ​to apologize to ⁤Angela Merkel for an incident⁣ involving his dog, Coney, sixteen years after it occurred?

‌## Midnight Chatter: An Unexpected Apology

**Host:** Welcome‌ back to Midnight Chatter. Tonight, we’re discussing a rather peculiar story ‌out of Russia. President Vladimir Putin recently apologized to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for an​ incident involving his dog, Coney, back in⁤ 2007. ⁤Joining us to unpack this strange‌ turn of events is Dr. Elena Petrova, a‌ leading⁣ expert on Russian-German relations. Dr. Petrova, thank you for being ⁣here.

**Dr. Petrova:** My ⁣pleasure to ⁣be here.

**Host:** Let’s dive right in. This apology⁣ comes sixteen ⁢years after the original incident. What⁤ happened in 2007?

**Dr.⁣ Petrova:** At a ​G8⁤ meeting in ⁢Sochi, President Putin ⁢brought his Labrador, Coney,⁢ into a ‌meeting room. The dog, excited by the arrival of a Fijian delegation, bounded into the room, startling the German delegation, including‍ then-Chancellor Merkel.

**Host:** And this seems to have caused some lasting discomfort for Merkel?

**Dr. Petrova:** Apparently so. While details are scarce, Putin’s public ​apology, making specific mention of Merkel’s ‍”mental pain,” suggests the incident​ was more than just ​a ⁣minor ⁢diplomatic‍ faux pas.

**Host:** Why do you think Putin chose to apologize now, after all ‌this time?

**Dr. Petrova:** This is a fascinating question. ‍Some speculate this is part of a larger charm offensive by ⁤Putin towards the West, particularly Germany, in light of the current geopolitical climate. Others see it as a gesture of ‍goodwill towards Merkel, with whom he had a complex‌ but ultimately pragmatic relationship.

**Host:** Interesting. Dr. ‍Petrova, ⁤thank you for shedding some light on this ⁤unusual story.

**Dr. Petrova:** My​ pleasure.