World

Russia engages in puppy diplomacy

/ AP

MOSCOW -- Russian police have handed over a puppy to the French ambassador in Moscow to replace a French police dog killed in a raid, a show of solidarity with France in the aftermath of the Paris attacks.

Diesel, the 7-year-old Belgian shepherd killed in a French police raid targeting the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks in November, has been honored all over the world.

A German shepherd puppy named Dobrynya is seen during a ceremony at the French embassy in Moscow on December 7, 2015. Getty Images

On Monday, Russia's Interior Ministry gave the German shepherd puppy named Dobrynya after a Russian fairy-tale knight to French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert.

Ripert praised the gift as "a gesture that comes from the heart," adding that "it shows the relations between Russia and France quite well."

First published on December 8, 2015 / 5:05 AM EST

© 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.