Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron at their Kremlin meeting on February 7. Sputnik / Kremlin via Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron at their Kremlin meeting on February 7. Sputnik / Kremlin via Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron at their Kremlin meeting on February 7. Sputnik / Kremlin via Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron at their Kremlin meeting on February 7. Sputnik / Kremlin via Reuters

Vladimir Putin kept Emmanuel Macron at a distance 'for snubbing Covid test demands'


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

French President Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Covid-19 test when he arrived to see Vladimir Putin this week, which was why he was kept at a distance from the Russian leader, sources in the French entourage told Reuters.

Observers were struck by images of Mr Macron and Mr Putin sitting at opposite ends of four-metre table to discuss the Ukraine crisis on Monday, with some diplomats suggesting the Russian president might be wanting to send a diplomatic message.

But the sources said Mr Macron had been given a choice: either accept a PCR test by Russian authorities and be close to Mr Putin; or refuse and abide by more stringent social distancing.

"We knew very well that meant no handshake and that long table but we could not accept that they get their hands on the president's DNA," one of the sources said.

The other source said Mr Macron took a French PCR test before departure and an antigen test done by his own doctor when in Russia.

"The Russians told us Putin needed to be kept in a strict health bubble," the second source said.

On Thursday, three days after Mr Macron and Mr Putin had their socially distanced meeting, the Russian leader received Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The two men shook hands and sat close to each other, separated by a small coffee table.

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
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  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.

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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

25-MAN SQUAD

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Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi 
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Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier

ICC Academy, November 22-28

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Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal

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17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
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4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m

5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m

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4pm Zabardast

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5.10pm Space Blues

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6.55pm Matterhorn

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Updated: February 11, 2022, 4:09 AM`