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Merkel puts Putin on the spot over
Women's Day
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel
attend a news con
ference at the Novo-Ogaryovo presidential residence outside
Moscow March 8, 2008.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel put President Vladimir Putin on the spot on
Saturday, asking if the former KGB spy had cooked breakfast for his wife
Lyudmila to celebrate International Women's Day.
The Russian president began talks with Merkel at his residence just outside
Moscow by congratulating her on Women's Day, which is widely celebrated in
Russia.
"Have you prepared breakfast for your wife this morning?" Merkel asked with
a smile.
Putin smiled awkwardly before taking a deep breath: "I prepared her present
and we will have breakfast together."
"Then breakfast means lunch?" Merkel quipped back at a meeting that took
place after midday at the Novo-Ogaryovo presidential residence outside Moscow.
"Yes I suppose so. But it is Pancake holiday too ... so we will have fun
later today." Putin snapped back.
Women's Day is a serious celebration in Russia, where men are expected to
give flowers to their female partners and colleagues and do the house work at
home.
Russians are also celebrating the end of winter with Pancake week, a
pre-Christian carnival of revelry across Russia.(Agencies)
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