Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan refused a hug with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken because of the impoliteness of the US diplomat beforehand, Turkish newspaper Hürriyet writes.
The situation discussed by Turkish media took place on 6 November during Blinken’s visit to Turkey.
“When Blinken’s car pulled up to the door of the Foreign Ministry, Hakan Fidan went downstairs and came out to the door of the ministry, as is the case when ministers are invited. Blinken, however, did not get out of the car and continued talking on the phone. Then Fidan turned around and entered the building,” the publication explained.
After that, the Turkish minister rejected Blinken’s attempt to embrace his colleague because of his “diplomatic impoliteness”, the journalists said.
According to the Sabah newspaper, Anthony Blinken tried to hug Hakan Fidan during the greeting, but the latter took a step back.