PARIS --
French President Emmanuel Macron refused a Kremlin request that he take a Russian COVID-19 take a look at when he arrived to see President Vladimir Putin this week, to stop Russia getting maintain of Macron's DNA, two sources in Macron's entourage informed Reuters.
Because of this, the visiting French head of state was stored at a distance from the Russian chief throughout prolonged talks on the Ukraine disaster in Moscow.
They had been photographed at reverse ends of a desk so lengthy that it provoked satirical touch upon social media and hypothesis, together with by diplomats, that Putin is likely to be utilizing it to ship a message.
However two sources who've data of the French president's well being protocol informed Reuters Macron had been given a selection: both settle for a PCR take a look at completed by the Russian authorities and be allowed to get near Putin, or refuse and need to abide by extra stringent social distancing.
"We knew very nicely that meant no handshake and that lengthy desk. However we couldn't settle for that they get their palms on the president's DNA," one of many sources informed Reuters, referring to safety considerations if the French chief was examined by Russian medical doctors.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Macron had declined the take a look at and stated Russia had no drawback with this, however it meant that a 6-meter (20 toes) distance from Putin was required so as to defend the Kremlin chief's well being.
"There isn't any politics on this, it doesn't intervene with negotiations in any method," he stated.
A second supply in Macron's entourage stated he as an alternative took a French PCR take a look at earlier than departure and an antigen take a look at completed by his personal physician as soon as in Russia.
"The Russians informed us Putin wanted to be stored in a strict well being bubble," the second supply stated.
Macron's workplace stated the Russian well being protocol "didn't appear to us to be both acceptable or appropriate with our diary constraints," referring to the size of time that may have been required to attend for the outcomes.
When requested particularly about DNA theft, Macron’s workplace stated: "The president has medical doctors who outline with him the foundations which are acceptable or not by way of his personal well being protocol."
On Thursday, three days after Macron and Putin had their socially-distanced assembly, the Russian chief acquired Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The 2 males shook palms, and sat shut to one another, divided solely by a small espresso desk.
(Extra reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Modifying by Catherine Evans)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to French President Emmanuel Macron throughout their assembly within the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 7, 2022.
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