During a 2007 meeting in Sochi, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel revealed in her memoir how Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately used his Labrador to intimidate her, despite knowing about her fear of dogs.
Merkel described the striking account of this diplomatic power play in her memoir. She recounted how Putin allowed his black Labrador, Konni, to approach her during a photo opportunity, even though her fear of dogs had been previously communicated to Russian officials.
The incident illustrates Putin's calculated approach to psychological manipulation in diplomatic settings.
In her memoir, she wrote: "I could tell from Putin's facial expressions that he was enjoying the situation."
This incident demonstrates how authoritarian leaders weaponize personal information to gain a psychological advantage. Putin's deliberate use of Merkel's known phobia shows calculated manipulation designed to create discomfort and establish dominance before substantive discussions even begin.
The non-verbal message Putin sent was clear: "I know your weakness and I'm willing to exploit it."
Imagine how he handles Trump, someone Putin knows who is trying to impress him, and be his best friend.
+ From June 2013: @realDonaldTrump: Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow - if so, will he become my new best friend?
-Marc
This is how Putin operates...
