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© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Putin tries dog diplomacy before Japan talks over islands
By HOWARD AMOS MOSCOW©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
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englisc aspyrgend
Why the hell were they "scared" it's just a dog, and a rather beautiful one at that. My own dog is a tad smaller than this one.
Yubaru
Dog diplomacy (Part Two: Putin's turn)
I wonder why in the world Putin decided to do this after his folks turned down the offer of a mate for this beautiful animal?
cleo
Why would Yume the dog need 'male companionship'? Has Vladimir expressed an interest in getting into the dog-breeding business? Hasn't Yume been spayed?
tMMt
A dog is a clever diplomatic gift. It's hard to just politely say thanks and put it in the back of a dark cupboard. It's constantly a reminder. Putin couldn't accept the male dog, assuming Yume is not spayed. If they bred and had puppies then that is a entire family line of furry little bundles of symbolism reminding two entire nations of not very good friends that they do actually have some kind of relationship. Not something that would appeal to Putin. I guess that parading Yume for the press is a pacifier to the Japanese side as well as being a macho-moment for Putin.
turbotsat
When was the last known sighting of the first First Dog? Maybe Russia forgot to feed it and don't want to admit it.
Aly Rustom
Is he going to play with Abe in the same way?
Mike L
“We think that we have no territorial problems. It’s Japan that thinks that it has a territorial problem with Russia,”
That says it all.
globalwatcher
Do not give a free meal to Putin.
dcog9065
That's definitely a nice dog
Jay Que
Crimea? Ukraine? No problems there, what??
serendipitous
Aly
My thoughts exactly. Abe may end up being in the same position as that doggie.
Goodlucktoyou
He was asked by Japanese media to bring his dog. For such a busy world leader, there is defiantly a bond between the two. I watched the video and a small tear ran down my cheek.
Rana Sodhi
Yume must have thought,"bloody humans".
Gaijindesu
“We think that we have no territorial problems. It’s Japan that thinks that it has a territorial problem with Russia,”
Hmm...where have I heard that line before...that's right, Japan keeps telling China the same thing about Senkaku/Diaoyu.
Must be a funny feeling to be on the receiving end of it.
kurisupisu
Clearly, the dog is well cared for and has a bond with President Putin.Respect and care for other species shows the President in a doctor able light!
Spanki
Whilst i'm certain he actually has no intention of handing any land over (his comment said it all as Mike pointed out) maybe, just maybe he will concede a few of the small Kuril islands closest to Hokkaido. I believe he's testing, if not toying with the Japanese just to see how far they will bend on the issue. Putin could afford to hand over a few of the tiny islands (at a price) without losing any face and i'm pretty sure Abe would jump through all sorts of hoops to score any points on this. There could be some big contracts negotiated between the 2 and lets face it, Russia is in need of them.
Dukeleto
Putin will never give up Russian soil in the same way the Japanese never would. Putin is as nationalistic as Abe is and so I cannot for the life of me understand why Abe is even attempting negotiating. All Putin is going to do is milk the Japenese for any economic advantage he can get for as long as he can get it. The only way to play this is too offer incredible economic benefits to the Russians but do not deliver a single thing until they have an irreversible agreement to the land transfer...never gonna happen!
SenseNotSoCommon
Putin: "You're my (female dog) now. Beg!"
Akita: Wait till he sees my other party trick, Doggienomics!
bluenote1
Yep, diplomacy can be a bitch. It's about time this dispute over the islands was sorted in an intelligent and fair way. Maybe a bit tough for the Russians - who look for fear of their great power to ease things along - but there;'s always hope.
alexander1165
The islands have been waiting for their fate since ice ages. Seriously, there should be some breakthrough in the upcoming negotiations.
presto345
Hahahahah! Doesn't that sound familiar? And settling the dispute will only be on Putin's terms and the outcome won't be anything Japan wants. Japan wants all or nothing, something that won't come about for a very long, long time.
Camman80
"The journalists appeared intimidated by the beast and told Putin afterward that they had been “scared.” " lol
elephant200
A dog for four islands back? What a tasteless offering!