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Leaders at G7 mock bare-chested horseback rider Putin

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations mocked the macho image of their absent adversary Vladimir Putin on Sunday, at a meeting in Germany dominated by the Russian President’s invasion of Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Italys Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Frances President Emmanuel Macron attend a round table for their first working session of G7 group at Bavarias Schloss Elmau Castle, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany June 26, 2022. — Reuters
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and France’s President Emmanuel Macron attend a round table for their first working session of G7 group at Bavaria’s Schloss Elmau Castle, near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany June 26, 2022. — Reuters 

As the besuited leaders sat down for their first meeting of the three-day G7 summit in the sweltering Bavarian Alps, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked if their jackets should come off — or if they should even disrobe further.

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britains Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Frances President Emmanuel Macron pose for a family photo during the G7 summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 24, 2022. — Reuters
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and France’s President Emmanuel Macron pose for a family photo during the G7 summit in Brussels, Belgium, March 24, 2022. — Reuters 

“We all have to show that we’re tougher than Putin,” Johnson said, to laughter from some of his colleagues.

“Bare-chested horseback riding,” shot back Canada’s Justin Trudeau.

“Oh yes,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Horseback riding is the best.”

Putin, who prizes his sporty image, has been pictured shirtless several times in photos released by Russian state media, including one set in which he rode a brown horse while wearing wrap-around sunglasses, a gold chain and army trousers.

The G7 leaders discussed efforts to further isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which has killed thousands of people and driven millions from their homes. Britain, Canada, Japan and the United States announced moves to ban imports of Russian gold. The G7 also includes France, Italy, and Germany.

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