President Putin once said that Koni, the lumbering black labrador that hoved into view when he was entertaining Angela Merkel at his Black Sea resort, had been sent to put the German chancellor at ease.
History has it, though, that Putin invited his favourite pet to join them at the 2007 Sochi meeting because he knew Merkel was afraid of dogs.
Putin memorably smirked as Merkel shifted uncomfortably in her seat when Koni approached, but would claim in an interview with the German tabloid, Bild, that he had “wanted to do something nice for her”
History has it, though, that Putin invited his favourite pet to join them at the 2007 Sochi meeting because he knew Merkel was afraid of dogs.
Putin memorably smirked as Merkel shifted uncomfortably in her seat when Koni approached, but would claim in an interview with the German tabloid, Bild, that he had “wanted to do something nice for her”
