In order that’s why that they had that ginormous desk between them.
French President Emmanuel Macron refused to take a Russian COVID-19 take a look at this week forward of his assembly with President Vladimir Putin over fears of the Kremlin retaining his DNA, in line with a brand new report.
Two sources conversant in Macron’s well being protocols instructed Reuters that the French president was given two choices for the assembly: Comply with a PCR take a look at administered by Russia authorities to satisfy carefully with Putin or abide by stricter social distancing pointers.
“We knew very effectively that meant no handshake and that lengthy desk,” one of many sources instructed the outlet. “However we couldn't settle for that they get their palms on the president’s DNA.”
The Kremlin confirmed Macron declined to take the take a look at, and stated it had no impact on any negotiations.
“There isn't a politics on this,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. “It doesn't intrude with negotiations in any approach.”
Photographs from the assembly present Macron and Putin sitting at reverse ends of an extended, oval desk in an ornately adorned room within the Kremlin. Reuters reported that the desk was 6 meters (20 ft) lengthy.
Regardless of not taking the Russian take a look at, Macron reportedly did take a French PCR take a look at earlier than touring to Moscow and a separate antigen take a look at by his personal physician after arrival, the second supply instructed the outlet.
“The Russians instructed us Putin wanted to be saved in a strict well being bubble,” the supply stated.
Macron’s workplace later implied it will have taken too lengthy to take the take a look at and obtain the outcomes, saying Russia’s protocols “didn't appear to us to be both acceptable or suitable with our diary constraints.”
When pressed on issues about potential DNA theft, Macron’s workplace stated, “The president has docs who outline with him the principles which might be acceptable or not when it comes to his personal well being protocol.”
Macron and Putin’s assembly got here amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine as many Western nations worry Moscow will invade.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned an assault may happen at any time — together with throughout the ongoing Winter Olympics.
“Merely put, we proceed to see very troubling indicators of Russian escalation, together with new forces arriving on the Ukrainian border,” Blinken stated.
“And as we’ve stated earlier than, we’re in a window when an invasion may start at any time. And to be clear, that features throughout the Olympics,” he added. “We’re persevering with to attract down our embassy. We are going to proceed that course of. And we’ve additionally been very clear that any Americans who stay in Ukraine ought to depart now.”
Throughout his assembly with the Russian president, Macron pushed diplomatic efforts and dialogue in an try to keep away from battle.
“Dialogue is important as a result of that’s the one factor that can assist, in my views, to construct a context of a safety and stability on the European continent,” Macron stated after the assembly.
“I’m comfortable to have this chance to have a deep dialogue on all these points … and to begin constructing an efficient response,” he added.
Whereas the Kremlin thanked Macron for the assembly, the Russians have nonetheless insisted the US and NATO proceed to disregard Putin’s safety calls for in blocking Ukraine from becoming a member of the alliance — a request that has been repeatedly denied because of NATO’s open-door coverage.
Peskov stated the “ambiance has remained tense” following the assembly.
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