MOSCOW: White, glistening and 6 metres lengthy: The desk selected for Vladimir Putin’s assembly with global leaders has sparked a flurry of memes-and a slew of hypothesis about its symbolism. The stretching desk has featured in pictures splashed around the web in fresh days, because the Russian president sits with Western leaders desperate to defuse tensions over a feared Ukrainian invasion.

He sat throughout from French President Emmanuel Macron on the now-famous desk final week, and on Tuesday sat on the identical desk with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Formally, the six-metre (20-foot) lengthy lacquered wooden desk is getting used as a coronavirus protocol-to be sure plentiful distance between Putin and his visitors.

However analysts say its symbolism speaks volumes, appearing Putin as a far off, remoted determine. “It’s glaring that he’s an increasing number of by myself,” impartial political analyst Konstantin Kalachev advised AFP. “This loneliness is apparent, it kind of feels he now not cares what folks bring to mind him.” Western international locations have sounded the alarm in fresh weeks of an approaching Russian invasion on Ukraine, prompting a flurry of go back and forth international relations from diplomats and leaders desperate to ease tensions. Putin has denied plans to invade, however has demanded safety promises from Washington and its allies.

Not anything horrible right here’

It’s not the one lengthy desk most well-liked by way of Putin. The 69-year-old Russian chief, famously wary about coronavirus, has additionally been pictured sitting at an extended oblong one for conferences along with his advisors. On Monday, Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had been pressured to sit down a number of metres clear of Putin as they delivered stories on Ukraine.

Requested about those distancing measures, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Tuesday they had been “brief”. He stated they had been in position to keep away from the highly-contagious and frequently asymptomatic Omicron variant. “There may be not anything horrible or particular right here. We’re going thru occasions that dictate particular measures,” Peskov advised journalists. Abnormal steps had been taken to offer protection to Putin, who for over a 12 months has been residing in a strictly-controlled virus-free bubble.

Overseas leaders, newshounds and officers had been required to self-isolate upfront of being involved with Putin and a disinfection tunnel used to be put in at his place of dwelling out of doors Moscow. Contributors of overseas delegations and newshounds wishing to visit the Kremlin will have to supply 3 damaging PCR exams within the 4 days main as much as their consult with. And visiting leaders who desire a face-to-face assembly with Putin will have to comply with a Kremlin-administered swab or accept the some distance finish of the desk. Each Macron and Scholz declined the Kremlin take a look at, opting as a substitute to get one from their very own medics.

The Ultimate Supper?

Including to the pomp of the lengthy, white desk is the decor-thick, draped gold curtains on huge light-coloured rug in a Kremlin reception room.
A small bouquet of vegetation sits within the heart, exaggerating the desk’s largesse. The pictures have spawned widely-circulated memes on-line, one making the desk appear to be a skating rink and any other of the Ultimate Supper.

One options Putin having a look around the desk for a watch examination. Netizens had been fast to pounce at the photographs, dishing up funny feedback on social media in spite of the backdrop of disaster. Some jokes prompt that Ikea identify one among their lengthy tables after Putin.

Consistent with Kalachev, Putin “dangers having a look ridiculous” and seeing his symbol undergo. Even Hungarian chief Viktor Orban, a Eu best friend of Putin who used to be hosted within the Kremlin in early February, “joked that he had by no means noticed this kind of lengthy desk”, Kalachev added. Alternatively, Kalachev stated, those photographs “must please everybody”. “It’s not likely that an individual paying such a lot consideration to his well being will get started Global Warfare III.” – AFP