When the French president and first lady arrived in Russia today, their host, Vladimir Putin, did something that just recently was considered rather offensive by the German media – giving flowers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s habit of giving flowers unexpectedly came into the spotlight after German tabloid Bild called one such case – when Putin gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel a bouquet – a veiled masculine insult to her and an affront to Berlin.

The reproach didn’t seem to have much effect on Russian diplomatic protocol. When French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived for a state visit to Russia on Thursday, there was Putin ready to greet them with a few warm words and a bouquet for the first lady. Neither of the Macrons seemed to mind.