Putin (centre) with the French and Croatian heads of state. (pic via Twitter)The scene where Putin was offered an umbrella while two other heads of state drenched in the rain caught eyeballs on Twitter after the FIFA World Cup final in Moscow. Commentators called this incident as the latest symbol of Putin's 'power' in the region.
The French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic got completely drenched before they were offered 'smaller' umbrellas as per an ANI report. The incident was, however, labelled as an example of poor Russian hospitality by another Twitter user.
The incident was used as another opportunity to draw a comparison between Trump and Putin. An earlier image of Trump holding an umbrella for himself was used as a justification for this comparison.
While observers may interpret the incident in their own way, what one can surely say is Putin's aides had the presence of mind to bring a umbrella for their president. While international politics and personal agenda may have had no role in the incident, the oversight of organisers and aides led to the 'umbrella fiasco'.
Nevertheless, the French and Croatian presidents deserve praise for gracefully enduring the rain without any complaints.
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