‘Angela, forgive me,’ Putin apologizes to Merkel for causing discomfort with pet dog during 2007 meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin has apologised to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for scaring her with his pet Labrador during a 2007 meeting in Sochi.
The apology came after Merkel released in her memoir that the encounter, which involved Putin’s black Labrador Retriever, Konni, caused her discomfort due to her fear of dogs.
“I did not know that she was afraid of dogs,” Putin said during a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 28. “I once again appeal to her via the media and say: ‘Angela, please forgive me, I did not want to cause you any heartache.’ On the contrary, I wanted to create a favourable atmosphere for our conversation.”
Putin went on to assure that, should Merkel visit Russia again, he would refrain from bringing his pet to their meeting.
“If you ever – I realise it is unlikely – come again, I will not do it under any circumstances,” he said.
The 2007 meeting, which has become infamous in diplomatic circles, was captured in images showing Konni sniffing around while Merkel sat uneasily in her chair, trying to maintain composure. In her memoir, Merkel recalled, “I could tell from Putin’s facial expressions that he was enjoying the situation,” referring to the discomfort she felt during the meeting.
Putin has long been known for his fondness for dogs. Konni, a gift from Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, has appeared by his side at multiple public events. Despite the unsettling memory for Merkel, Putin’s latest comments reflect a rare public moment of reflection on past diplomatic encounters.
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