The white, glass-topped table with the floral motifs became an internet meme after pictures were released of Macron’s talks with the Russian leader.

Like Macron, Scholz refused to take a Russian PCR coronavirus test before the talks, instead opting for a test to be conducted by a doctor from the German embassy on his plane after landing, before he even disembarked.

Therefore, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, the social distancing between the German and Russian leaders would have to be greater than usual.

“But that won’t affect the character of the meeting, the content or the duration,” he said. The talks, he added, would be “extensive.”