Putin responds to Merkel’s memoir, clarifies 2007 dog incident in Sochi

Record ID: 1858663

  • Title: Putin responds to Merkel’s memoir, clarifies 2007 dog incident in Sochi
  • Date: 29th November 2024
  • Summary: Putin responds to Merkel’s memoir, clarifies 2007 dog incident in Sochi RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “KREMLIN PRESS OFFICE” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— SHOTLIST: ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (NOV. 28, 2024) (KREMLIN PRESS OFFICE - RESTRICTED) 1. SOUNDBITE (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SAYING: "First of all, regarding the dog story. Yes, such an incident did happen. Ms. Merkel came to visit us, and my dog, Koni, came out. Honestly, I already told her this, but I’ll say it again: I didn’t know she was afraid of dogs. If I had known, I would never have let it happen. On the contrary, I wanted to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. I assumed — based on my experience in Europe and Germany, where I lived for almost five years — that people there, especially Germans, generally have a very positive attitude toward pets. I thought she would enjoy it. Later, I found out that she is afraid of dogs. Well, these things happen. As far as I recall, she once mentioned that she had been bitten by a dog as a child, which left her with a psychological trauma. When I learned this, I apologized to her. I said, 'Angela, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.' And yet, with persistence worthy of a better cause, she has written about this again in her book. Honestly, I find it strange and unexpected. Since we are discussing this now and it will likely appear in the media, I’d like to address her again: Angela, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to cause you any distress. On the contrary, I wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere for our conversation. I offer my apologies. And if you ever decide to visit again — though I understand this is unlikely today — rest assured, I will never let that happen again." SCRIPT Russian President Vladimir Putin has addressed the controversy surrounding an incident during a meeting with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, where his dog, Koni, startled her due to her fear of dogs. Speaking at a press conference in Kazakh capital, he explained that he had no prior knowledge of Merkel’s fear. "I didn’t know she was afraid of dogs," Putin said. "If I had known, I would never have let it happen." Merkel, in her recently released memoir, suggested that Putin’s decision to allow the dog to be present during their meeting was a deliberate power play. However, Putin denied any such intention, stating that he had hoped to create a "relaxed and pleasant atmosphere." He added that based on his experience in Europe and Germany, where he had lived for several years, he believed that people, particularly Germans, generally have a positive attitude toward pets. "I assumed… she would enjoy it," he remarked. Putin later learned of Merkel's past trauma involving a dog bite during her childhood, which he said had left her with a psychological fear of dogs. "When I learned this, I apologized to her," he recalled, expressing regret for any distress caused. “I said, 'Angela, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.'” Putin reiterated his apology, addressing Merkel directly in the interview. "Angela, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to cause you any distress. On the contrary, I wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere for our conversation." Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed in her memoir how Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately used his Labrador to intimidate her during a 2007 meeting in Sochi, despite knowing about her fear of dogs. The former chancellor’s fear of dogs stemmed from a traumatic incident in early 1995 when she was bitten by a dog in Germany's Uckermark region, according to Merkel. She said her fear was well-known to Russian officials, as her adviser Christoph Heusgen had specifically informed his Russian counterpart Sergei Prichodko about it, before her meeting with Putin. The latest revelations came from Merkel's highly anticipated memoir, Freedom. Memories 1954-2021, released on Tuesday, which detailed behind-the-scenes insights into her relationships with world leaders. Merkel had served as German chancellor from 2005 to 2021 and was widely recognized as Europe's most influential political leader during her tenure. As Germany's first female chancellor and a physicist from East Germany, she guided Europe's largest economy through multiple crises, earning the affectionate nickname “Mutti” (Mother) among her people. Writing by Muharrem Gecer // Anadolu Staff
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