Putin close to the Merk at Austrian wedding
VLADIMIR Putin met German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday – but not before attending nuptials in Austria.
A Kremlin spokesman confirmed earlier this week Mr Putin would be a surprise guest at the wedding of the Austrian foreign minister. Karin Kneissl married businessman Wolfgang Meilinger at a vineyard in Austria’s Styria state.
Mr Putin was invited to the ceremony during a visit to the country earlier this year.
Ms Kneissl, 53, an independent, was picked for the foreign minister job by Austria’s far-right Freedom Party – a coalition partner in the current government.
Austria’s media has been abuzz about the Russian president’s appearance.
Some opposition politicians voiced concern about the potential cost to taxpayers incurred by increased security for the visit. Members of the country’s Green Party are among those calling for the foreign minister to resign over Mr Putin’s invitation.
Ms Merkel said on Friday “no specific results” were expected from yesterday’s meeting.