Kremlin slams German weekly for calling Putin ‘dog’ in its article

Russia’s presidential spokesman went on to say that such insults ultimately damage the reputation of the media itself, adding the Kremlin does not pay much attention to Focus magazine.

“The fact is that this media outlet is well known for its extreme subjectivity,” and not considered a “noteworthy source,” Peskov said. He added that, in the case of Russia, this subjectivity “is mostly based on extreme Russophobia.”

Moscow’s angry reaction was provoked by an article titled “50 reasons for Merkel/50 reasons against Merkel” published in the magazine issued on September 9.

“Even though she [the German Chancellor Angela Merkel] is afraid of [the Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s dog, she is not afraid of the dog Putin,” reads the offensive part referring to the Russian leader.

The issue was initially raised by the head of press service of the Russian embassy in Berlin, Denis Mikerin. “There are still red lines [that should not be crossed],” he wrote in a post on his Facebook page that featured a photo of the inflammatory piece published in Focus.

“There are things that have nothing to do with the freedom of expression or the media freedom and are by no means tolerable,” the diplomat said in his post, expressing hope that the insult aimed at the Russian president was “nothing more than unfortunate linguistic passage of a journalist.”

He also called on Focus editor-in-chief, Robert Schneider, to apologize for “this apparent fail” of his editorial office.

The Russian embassy in Germany also flagged the issue on its official Twitter account.

“Focus [editors] believe it is provocative. Is it? No. Tasteless and plain stupid? Definitely,” the embassy tweeted, challenging the German government’s spokesman Steffen Seibert to respond to the incident.

Dem #FOCUS scheint es provozierend zu sein. Ist es? Nein. Abgeschmackt und doof? Ganz bestimmt. Was meint aber @RegSprecher? pic.twitter.com/tEF5fveLoa

However, neither the German government nor Focus magazine responded or offered an apology. Instead, the media outlet said on Twitter there was nothing insulting in its article, just “ironic wordplay.”

“The word “dog” is basically a wordplay, which was intended to be ironic. It means “tough nut.” It was not intended to be derogatory,” the tweet said.

Die Bezeichnung "Hund" stellt ein ironisch gemeintes Wortspiel dar, meint harter Hund. Es war nicht herabwürdigend gemeint. @RusBotschaft

Later Wednesday, Schneider eventually contacted Mikerin to comment on the issue. However, his 'explanation' was similar to the magazine’s earlier statements, restating that the insulting phrase featured in article was nothing but “ironic wordplay.”

"It does not meet our expectations of a normal parity-based, respectful and responsible dialog,” Mikerin responded.

The embassy still regards the whole situation as “an unfortunate incident” that, however, still requires “concrete steps on its settlement, i.e. a formal apology from the Focus editorial office,” Mikerin said in a Facebook post.

Putin is a well-known dog lover, and has been given multiple pups as gifts since first becoming president in 2000. The Russian leader has also, on several occasions, brought his pets out to meet some of his high-level guests.

The incident Focus was referring to happened in 2007 and involved Putin’s beloved labrador retriever Konni, who died in 2014.

At that time, the dog was thought to have intimidated Merkel during her meeting with Putin, as the chancellor has a fear of dogs. Putin said he had no idea about the German Chancellor’s canine phobia, and apologized.

Focus article criticized in Germany

Focus’ scandalous piece provoked a wave of indignation not just from Russian officials but also from Germans, who turned to social media to express their disgust with the article.

“I find it absolutely tasteless even to speak about a president in such a way, let alone to write [something like that]. It is good that I do not read Focus,” one person wrote in his Twitter post.

Ich finde es sehr geschmacklos,so gegenüber ein Präsidenten zu sprechen geschweige den zu schreiben.Nur gut das ich kein Focus lese.👎👎👎👎👎👎 👎

“Focus is just like Bild – a good-for-nothing newspaper for those, who fancy themselves people of education…” another person said.

#Focus ist wie @BILD | Gazetten-Niveaulimbo für die Möchtegern-Bildungsschicht mit dem IQ einer Amöbe, Nur eben in hochglanz 😆

“Focus was always idiotic unlike other our [German] newspapers that started writing nonsense only about 10 years ago,” one more Tweet reads.

Der #Focus war schon immer idiotisch. Im Gegensatz zu unseren anderen Zeitschriften, die erst in den letzten 10 Jahren idiotisch wurden.

Another tweet read: “I thought actually that the so-called “quality media” cannot fall any lower. However, there is apparently still enough space below.”

Ich dachte immer, die "Qualitätsmedien" könnten nicht mehr tiefer sinken. Aber gibts offenbar noch viel Raum nach unten.

“That is a really MINDLESS [move], even for a pro-American newspaper,” another person said.

-Das ist wierklich BLÖD im Sine pro amerikanische Zeitschrift.

Some people drew attention to the fact that the government and media “do not represent the opinion of the people.”

Nie vergessen! Die Regierung und die Medien vertreten nicht die Meinung des Volkes!

Others condemned the Focus’s choice of words by defining it as “hate speech.”

One of the magazine’s journalists, Jan Schaefer, seemed to be particularly active in defending the paper’s stance. “Druschba! [Friendship!] Even the Kremlin reads the Focus magazine!” he wrote, posting a link to an article by RT Deutsch that reported on the Russian embassy’s angry reaction to the provocative piece by Focus.

He then went on to say that there is nothing wrong with the word “dog.”“Is a dog in Russia something bad? In Germany, it is the most loved pet. Putin apparently brought his dog out [to meet] Merkel for the very same reason, or?” he wrote.

Ist ein Hund in RUS etwa etwas schlimmes? In 🇩🇪 ist er beliebtestes Haustier. Sicher hat Putin seinen Hund deswegen Merkel vorgeführt, oder?

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Donald Trump refuses to shake Angela Merkel's hand as key meeting gets off to frosty start

D onald Trump refused to shake hands with Angela Merkel as a first meeting between the two leaders, which was postponed from Tuesday because of snow, got off to a distinctly frosty start.

The German chancellor and US president posed for the press in the Oval Office, and photographers could be heard calling for the two to shake hands. Mrs Merkel turned and smiled at her host, asking him: "Do you want to have a handshake?"

But Mr Trump, who had appeared to hold hands with Theresa May, the Prime Minister, when they walked together during her White House visit in January, looked down at the floor and avoided all eye-contact with his guest.

M rs Merkel grimaced slightly but soon brushed off the awkward incident and began the task of attempting to build a new transatlantic partnership, quipping in their later press conference that the two leaders "will work together hand in hand".

The US president reassured her that his administration would "respect historic institutions", amid fears in Europe that he could scale back US military support for Nato, but insisted that allies "must pay what they owe".

"I reiterated to Chancellor Merkel my strong support for Nato as well as the need for our Nato allies to pay their fair share for the cost of defence," he said.

She responded by saying that Germany needed to meet Nato spending goals.

T he two agreed on the need for cooperating in the fight against Islamic State terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Lybia and the peace process in Ukraine.

M rs Merkel stressed the importance of improving relations with Russia and Mr Trump was thought to have sought ideas from her on how to deal with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

She also delivered a staunch defence of globalisation, and said she hoped the US and the EU could resume discussions on a trade agreement.

F or his part, Mr Trump rejected accusations his "America First" agenda was isolationist and said he was only attempting to improve trade deals to protect US interests rather than pull back from the world entirely.

The question about his supposed isolationism clearly angered him, as he shot back at the reporter: "I don't know what newspaper you're reading, but I guess that would be an example of fake news."

M r Trump says his White House should not be blamed for quoting a Fox News analyst who accused British intelligence of helping former President Barack Obama spy on him.

There is no evidence such spying took place and GCHQ, the British electronic intelligence agency, has called the allegation "utterly ridiculous."

"We said nothing. All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television," he said.

"You shouldn't be talking to me, you should be talking to Fox."

He also doubled down on his unproven wiretapping allegation with a reference to 2013 reports that the US listened in on Mrs Merkel's phone calls.

He says that when it comes to wiretapping, "At least we have something in common, perhaps."

A ttempting to strike a positive tone, Mrs Merkel said it had been "much better to talk to one another than about one another".

T he visit represented an opportunity for the two leaders to reset their early relationship.

On the campaign trail, Mr Trump called Mrs Merkel's migration policy "catastrophic", saying she "should be ashamed of herself" for "ruining" Germany. He lashed out at Time magazine when it named Mrs Merkel Person of the Year in 2015 instead of him.

She has been a strident critic of his Muslim travel ban and plan to build a border wall with Mexico and took it upon herself to explain the Geneva Convention to him.

The German chancellor enjoyed a warm friendship with Barack Obama and was his closest global partner. She had also worked well with George W Bush before him.

M rs Merkel had prepared carefully for the meeting, watching Mr Trump's speeches, speaking to people who have met him and even studying a 1990 Playboy interview with the New York billionaire.

The visit was a tightrope walk for the German chancellor between building an effective partnership built on strong economic and security cooperation - especially in the context of Russia's new-found bullishness - and representing her values and those of the German people.

She is in a battle to win re-election for a fourth term later this year in Germany, where Mr Trump's historically low popularity ratings are on a par with Vladimir Putin.

Trump says Fox News wiretap claim came from 'talented legal mind'

M r Trump is asked about the wiretapping accusations against British intelligence services.

"Very seldom, very seldom. probably wouldn't be here right now," he says, when asked if he ever rejects his tweets. There's widespread laughter as he says this.

Mr Trump goes on to say that he did not make any wiretapping claims against Britain, but that "a very talented legal mind on Fox" made those claims, and that he merely quoted this analyst.

He says questions on the issue should be put to that analyst - Andrew Napolitano - not him.

Merkel rejects idea that trade deals with Asia make workers worse off

M r Trump is asked how he plans to make new trade deals.

"Negotiators for Germany have done a far better job than the United States. I give them credit for it. But. you look at China, virtually any country we do business with, it's not exactly good for our workers. Look at Nafta - that's been a disaster for workers."

Mrs Merkel takes the same question, and disagrees - she says that the German industry has concluded that, "actually, trade deals. with South Korea have brought us more jobs."

"We have benefited. That is the spirit which should be guiding these agreements."

Trump and Merkel clash gently

M rs Merkel says she has not had time to discuss economic policy in detail yet.

On the impact of migration on the economy, she says it "has to be worked on, traffickers must be stopped," but that they must also look at welfare for refugees.

Mr Trump adds he has "many jobs coming back to Michigan, Ohio, places where they were losing jobs.

"But it's going to be a great policy for the United States, and worldwide."

Neither is taking the bait on questions that are repeatedly drawing attention to their numerous clashes over the past year.

"I am not an isolationist - that's fake news"

S ome tougher questions now - Mr Trump is asked if his isolationist economic policy is damaging to America and to Europe.

"I don't believe in an isolationist policy, but the US has been treated very, very unfairly and that has got to stop," says Mr Trump.

He says the idea he is isolationist is "fake news."

Trump: "New healthcare plan coming along beautifully'

N ow over to the floor for questions, the first one about healthcare, for Mr Trump.

He says the new healthcare plan is coming along "beautifully" and repeats claim that Obamacare was "failing miserably."

"Obamacare will fail, it will fold, it will close up very, very soon if something isn't done," he adds.

Mrs Merkel is then asked about her impression of the president.

She says that the president stands up for American interests and says she was gratified by the warm hospitality she has received.

"We are trying to address the areas where we disagree. and find a compromise. We need to be fair with each other."

Merkel: Better to talk to each other, not about each other

M rs Merkel's turn now.

She begins: "It is much better to talk to one another, not about one another. We talked about the international situation, we discussed the shared interests that we have. "

That is no doubt a pointed references to her clashes with Mr Trump over her migration policy, and his travel ban.

Trump says "very unfair" that Nato allies do not pay their share

"I thanked the Chancellor for her commitment to spending two per cent of GDP [on Nato]," he continues.

H e says that he fully supports Nato - something Mr Trump has had to stress several times, having rattled Western allies on the campaign trail with his claim that Nato was "obsolete"

Trump: US and Germany must harness power of women in economy

"It's a great honour to welcome you to the White House," begins Mr Trump, underlining their shared desire for security and peace.

H e says the meeting they just had was "productive," and discussed workforce development and vocational training.

He adds that it is "crucial" that American workers are given a great employment outlook, and that this requires harnessing the "power of women" in the economy.

Press conference 45mins late

I t has now been 45 minutes since this conference was supposed to start - this meeting does not appear to be going smoothly.

Merkel handshake no. 2 snubbed?

T hey seemed to be getting on fine earlier, enjoying a warm handshake at the White House entrance - but this press pool footage suggests Mrs Merkel and Mr Trump have already got off on the wrong foot.

A photographer can be heard asking the pair to shake hands several times in the footage - but neither of them move a muscle.

Mrs Merkel then asks Mr Trump a question, which is almost inaudible. Still no handshake.

This is unusual - both Shinzo Abe and Justin Trudeau posed for a handshake in Oval Office.

Photographers: Can we get a handshake?

Merkel (to Trump): Do you want to have a handshake?

Trump: *no response*

Trump wants to find out how to deal with Putin

W hite House officials have suggested that Mr Trump is very curious to know how to tackle Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.

"The president will be very interested in hearing the chancellor's views on her experience interacting with Putin," a senior administration official told reporters.

Merkel and Trump take to Oval Office

A sked how their initial talks went, Mr Trump replied "great," adding that "many, many things" were discussed. Mrs Merkel told German reports she was glad to have had the opportunity to meet with Mr Trump.

So far, so good - but they will shorty be holding a joint press conference, at 17.20, where the questions to put to them are going to be a little bit trickier than this.

The handshake: Merkel 'deferential,' Trump 'taking power'

D onald Trump's handshakes are the stuff of legend - he almost tore the arm off Japanese leader Shinzo Abe when he came to Washington in February.

Meanwhile Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, was hailed as making the biggest "gesture of dominance in Canadian history" when he gave Mr Trump a confrontational, robust handshake during his state visit.

Theresa May went further than a handshake - she was photographed holding hands with the president.

But a body language expert told the Telegraph Mr Trump that in the case of Mrs Merkel, he came out on top.

"He's taking the more powerful position by standing in the left side of the photo (from viewers point of view) showing more of his hand and pulling her into his space," said Elizabeth Kuhnke, the author of Body Language: Learn How to Read Others and Communicate with Confidence

"In addition, by putting his left hand on her right arm, he's demonstrating power and authority over her.

"He's looking down at her while she is almost in a curtsying position. His mouth is in a tight closed smile indicating that he's holding back his emotions. Her smile is tentative. With her shoulders hunched she looks deferential. Her left hand is hanging by her side, in a lifeless position.

"He is controlling this photo op, using both of his hands to reduce her power."

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Not exactly peace in our time as Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin exchange frosty glares at Russian VE Day celebrations

Published: 14:56 GMT, 10 May 2015 | Updated: 05:33 GMT, 22 July 2015

German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchanged frosty glares with Russian President Vladmir Putin after flying into Moscow for the country's VE Day celebrations today.

Ms Merkel paid tribute to Soviet soldiers killed in the Second World War as she called for co-operation with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine.

She laid a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls alongside Putin in an apparent compromise gesture after skipping Russia's main festivities yesterday.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel exchanged frosty glares with President Vladimir Putin during Russia's VE Day celebrations today

The German Chancellor (left) listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the wreath-laying ceremony near the Kremlin in Moscow today

Angela Merkel and Putin attended the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls in Moscow

Ms Merkel paid tribute to Soviet soldiers killed in the Second World War alongside Putin as she called for co-operation with Russia

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Yesterday, Russia staged a huge parade to mark the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany but most Western countries boycotted the festivities over Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.

In February, Putin hosted Ms Merkel and French leader Francois Hollande for crunch talks over Ukraine, in what was the German leader's first Russian visit since the start of the crisis.

Many are concerned that Putin is using VE Day festivities to justify Russia's meddling in Ukraine and promote his nationalism-tinged agenda

Just before meeting Ms Merkel, Putin hosted Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (right), who praised him for standing up to Washington

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At least she had the common decency to turn up, unl.

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Doggie diplomacy: Putin denies tall 'tail' of letting lab loose on fearful Merkel

Putin was rumored to be briefed on her fear of dogs before their first-ever meeting, suggesting that he intentionally brought his pet labrador Connie along to scare Merkel, who was visibly uncomfortable.

Some even speculated that he had enjoyed the moment.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Putin denied there was a hidden agenda behind the incident: “I showed her my dog because I thought she would like it. I told her so later and apologized.”

Connie, who has since passed, was a gift from Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu.

The labrador took a liking to Merkel at the meeting, preferring to sit by her side rather than the Russian president.

Merkel joked at the meeting that the dog “doesn’t eat journalists after all”.

Putin isn’t shy about his love for his dogs, always happy to be snapped playing with them.

He’s definitely more of a dog person, but that hasn’t stopped him enjoying time with some very big cats.

Artikel in Focus bezeichnet Putin als "Hund" - Russische Botschaft erwartet Entschuldigung

Die Titelstory des aktuellen Focus-Magazins lautet "50 Gründe für Merkel - 50 Gründe gegen Merkel - Die Alleskanzlerin - egal, wie Sie es drehen und wenden". Der 34. Grund für Merkel ist der russischen Botschaft in Berlin jedoch besonders aufgefallen, da er eine alte Geschichte über die angebliche Angst Merkels vor dem Hund des Russischen Staatsoberhauptes, Wladimir Putin, in besonders beleidigender Weise aufgreift.

Man kann nur hoffen, dass die beleidigende Aussage über den russischen Präsidenten in dem Titelartikel der letzten Ausgabe des Focus nichts weiter als eine erfolglose sprachliche Entgleisung eines Journalisten ist, die man aus Versehen zum Druck zugelassen hat", schrieb der Diplomat auf Facebook.

Er äußerte auch die Hoffnung, dass der Chefredakteur des Magazins Robert Schneider, "der definitiv genug Lebens- und Diensterfahrung hat, und ganz klar versteht, wo die 'roten Linien' der journalistischen Ethik liegen, die Gelegenheit (und den Mut, natürlich) findet, sich für so ein klares Versagen seiner Redaktion zu entschuldigen."