French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly refused to take a Russian COVID-19 test ahead of his meeting with President Vladimir Putin this week, with his aides citing concerns that he did not want Moscow to have access to his DNA.
Individuals with knowledge of the situation told Reuters that Macron was presented with the option to take a Russian PCR test or to follow more strict social distancing protocols if he refused ahead of a Monday meeting to discuss the swelling crisis surrounding Ukraine.
As a result of Macron declining the test, both leaders were sat at opposite ends of a 13-foot table during the meeting, an image that was widely shared on social media.
“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 told Reuters.
Read More
Sign Up for Lisa's Top Ten to get a daily briefing on the world each morning.
Start your free trial today.
