Let's return to Vladimir Putin's European trip. On his way to Germany for talks with Angela Merkel, the Russian president made a stop in Austria, where he was a guest at the wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. He brought gifts, said a toast in German, and even danced with the bride. And then he managed to hold talks because the whole country's leadership gathered at the celebration.
Andrey Grigoryev is reporting on a quiet wedding that became known all over Europe.
Air Force One of the squadron "Russia" landed at the airport of the town of Graz. The Russian president arrived in Styria, Austria, for the first time. As the distances here are small, Vladimir Putin congratulated the newlyweds just several minutes later. Sunflowers in the bouquet are a must-have element for such festivities. Churchill and Kennedy, the bride's two boxers, ran to welcome the distinguished guest. This is rare footage: It's not just a wedding, but a public event attended by the press. The country's foreign minister is getting married.
Karin Kneissl and the bridegroom, businessman and investor Wolfgang Meilinger, take a landau drawn by four horses. It's all in the Austrian national style. It's the best day of my life! The Austrian Bundesland of Styria is the bridegroom's home, while the bride comes from Vienna. They wanted to celebrate the wedding in the medieval Gamlitz castle, but it was already booked by another couple on that date, and they had to hold the celebrations in the Tscheppe Winery instead.
The celebration takes place on an open terrace overlooking the alpine meadows. Reportedly, Vladimir Putin offered the newlyweds a picture with a similar Austrian rural landscape. He also offered a Tula samovar and an ancient oil press.
Vladimir Putin: "Without any doubts, all the guests share your emotions on this wonderful day and wish the new family happiness and well-being. In an interview, Karin once said that the owners of the boxers, which I've just seen, appreciated coziness, have a sense of humor, and it's hard to get under their skin. In my view, all these things are necessary for family life. Karin has two boxers! In such a case we say: comment is unnecessary. Dear bride and groom, I congratulate you with all my heart on the marriage and the creation of a new family. In Russia, we wish newlyweds love and harmony. That's what I wish you as well: as much happiness and health for your common future. So, let us raise our glasses to your wonderful life as a couple".
Karin Kneissl, Austrian Foreign Minister: "When we met for the first time, we had a lot of interesting discussions. We exchanged views on many issues like the Middle East. I'm glad that our conversation was at such a high level, and I'd like to thank you for your trust in me as a partner in talks. Thank you so much. Thanks to all who are sharing this joyful day with us. Long live life!".
The Kuban Cossack choir also performed as a gift from the Russian side. In this relaxed, informal atmosphere, the hosts dance with the Cossacks, and the Russian president dances with the bride. A few hours before this, the guests were brought to the restaurant by tractors. The spirit of the village is omnipresent. Even chef Heinz Preschan's menu has simple dishes, typical for the Austrian hinterland.
Heinz Preschan, chef: "The wedding menu will be special, of course. There will be this fish. This will be Styria's traditional cuisine but reimagined".
There are more than a hundred honorable guests, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz being among them as well as Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, the defense minister of Austria, and the chairman of OPEC. And those are just the people who were photographed. Vladimir Putin was invited during his recent trip to Vienna. That was his first foreign visit after the inauguration.
Austria is one of the few European countries that didn't do Britain's bidding over the Skripal case and didn't expel Russian diplomats, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Karin Kneissl, 53, is also an acknowledged expert in the Middle East. Her father was the personal pilot of King Hussein of Jordan, and she spent her childhood in Amman. She said more than once that Arab problems in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq couldn't be solved without Russia.
Putin spent only a couple of hours at the wedding. Saying goodbye to the newlyweds and guests, he leaves an autograph on the wedding car. The world's mass media go live against this background.
"Putin seems to be on his way here. He just said "Goodbye" to us. Putin speaks German quite well".
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz accompanied the Russian president to the airport. They also discussed political topics on the way there. But that was behind the scenes.
Andrey Grigoryev, Yulia Brileva for Vesti
