The metres-long desk separating French President Emmanuel Macron from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin throughout their latest talks in Moscow drew raised loads of eyebrows - however it turns on the market was a cause for it.
Mr Macron had travelled to Moscow to talk with Mr Putin in regards to the massing Russian forces on the border of Ukraine, and to attempt to avert the chance of conflict.
On arrival, Mr Macron was requested to take a COVID-19 take a look at administered by Russian docs - which he reportedly refused.
Reuters, citing two unnamed sources in Mr Macron's entourage, stated the French had been nervous in regards to the doable penalties.
"We knew very properly that meant no handshake and that lengthy desk. However we couldn't settle for that they get their arms on the president's DNA," one supply instructed Reuters.
One other supply stated Mr Macron had undergone a PCR take a look at earlier than leaving France, and a fast antigen take a look at on arrival in Moscow.
"The Russians instructed us Putin wanted to be saved in a strict well being bubble," the second supply stated.
Mr Putin, who isn't any stranger to political theatre, additionally ensured each leaders have been amply distanced throughout their subsequent joint tackle to the press.
In contrast, when Mr Macron travelled on to Kyiv, he was greeted with a handshake by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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The pair have been photographed conversing over a smaller, spherical desk - although each wore face masks.