Putin-Macron '4m Table' Mystery Explained... "Macron Refused Russian PCR"

President Reluctant to Share DNA Information with Russia

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Recent reports suggest that the '4m table' meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron was due to Macron's refusal to undergo a COVID-19 test.

On the 10th (local time), Reuters cited a close aide to Macron's delegation, reporting that Russia distanced itself after the Kremlin requested Macron to take a COVID-19 test, which he declined.

Earlier, on the 7th, the two leaders held talks while sitting at opposite ends of a table about 13 feet (approximately 4 meters) long, set up at the Moscow Kremlin. The distance between the two leaders was so great that it sparked ridicule and various memes, with comments like "You could play curling" and "See-saw table." In diplomatic circles, some even analyzed this as a deliberate staging by Putin to send a diplomatic message.

However, two sources familiar with Macron's whereabouts stated, "President Macron was given a choice." The sources explained, "Russian authorities indicated that if a PCR test was taken, closer seating would be possible, but (President Macron) refused, resulting in strict social distancing."

One source elaborated to Reuters, "They knew that at such a long table, even handshakes were impossible, but they could not accept the idea of Russia obtaining the president's genetic information (DNA) from his hands."

Another source also confirmed that President Macron refused Russia's PCR test. He said that Macron had taken a PCR test in France before departure and underwent a rapid antigen test through his personal doctor upon arrival in Russia.

President Putin was also seen sitting close to Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a small coffee table just three days after his meeting with President Macron on the 10th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.