Russian President Vladimir Putin took time out from his busy schedule diving to the bottom of the sea and meeting Steven Seagal to pet a cat while in the Siberian region of Khakasia on Friday.
Putin, who has previously only appeared with larger felines like tigers and this leopard was seen cuddling a cat.
In fact, Putin owns several dogs, and enjoys frolicking with them in the snow.
US President Barack Obama cuddles a dog.
Koni, his beloved black Labrador, is even allowed to wander in on official meetings once famously earning the ire of Angela Merkel, who is scared of dogs.
So what could this shift mean? Why now? What could be behind Putin’s sudden embrace of cats?… But wait. What’s this?
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (right), who is scared of dogs, with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Could it be that Putin’s feline fete was inspired by US President Barack Obama, recently returned from his own Putin-esque wilderness adventure in Alaska, petting these Iditarod puppies only a day earlier?
We wholeheartedly believe that to be the case. This is what the new Cold War will be.