In a surprising moment of diplomacy, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly apologized to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel over an incident from a 2007 meeting, where he allegedly used his pet dog, Koni, to intimidate her. Merkel has previously stated that Putin seemed to enjoy her discomfort during the encounter, leading to speculation about his intentions. Despite the apology, Putin denied he meant to scare Merkel, with statements emphasizing he was unaware of her fear of dogs. This exchange takes place against the backdrop of ongoing military tensions in Ukraine, where Putin has recently expressed threats regarding nuclear capabilities and military actions.