The moment that caused such indignation. The Bild newspaper wrote that Putin “offended” Merkel by allegedly attempting to make it clear who was in charge when he offered her flowers.
However, a decade ago Putin met with Merkel in the same place and guess what - he also gave her a bouquet. But back then nobody batted an eyelid.
Croatia’s president Kolinda
Nor did anyone bother to say anything when Finnish president Tarja Halonen was presented with the Russian leader’s trademark gift in 2005.
Not much was said when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was given a floral shower back in 2001 in the Kremlin.
The wife of George Bush Jr., Laura, took flowers from Putin in 2007 in the US.
The former first lady of Russia, Naina Yeltsin, was greeted with a bouquet from Putin too.
Putin showed his gallant side with opera diva Anna Netrebko while gifting her with flowers, and the title of People’s Artist of Russia.
The first woman to fly into space Valentina Tereshkova received from Putin flowers and an order on the 50th anniversary of her landmark mission.
It seems that Putin really enjoys giving women flowers, especially on March 8 each year: International Women’s Day. In this case, in 2013, they were received by textile factory workers.
Here, on March 8,
And in this
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