The Russian Covid test was declined by French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin.
According to a French insider, the test needed a health procedure that was inappropriate and did not fit into the French leader’s timetable.
It comes after allegations that Mr Macron declined to take the PCR test for fear of the Russians obtaining his DNA.
On Monday, the leaders attended a socially-disconnected meeting.
They didn’t shake hands and sat across from each other at a four-metre-long table, prompting speculation that Mr Putin was sending a diplomatic message.
According to Reuters, Mr Macron was given the option of accepting a Russian PCR test in order to grow closer to Putin or adhering to rigorous social distance restrictions.
“We were well aware that this meant no handshake and a lengthy table. However, we could not accept that they had obtained the president’s DNA “Reuters was informed by one of the sources.
Mr Macron’s DNA might be exploited by Russian intelligence services, according to the source.
“The restrictions set for the meeting to take place with no social distance needed a health protocol that we found unacceptable and incompatible with the president’s schedule,” a source at the Elysée Palace told the BBC.
Mr Macron was held at a remove from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Kremlin, because he refused to take a Russian test.
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said Russia understood France’s position and that it had no bearing on the discussions.
Another French diplomatic source told Reuters that Mr Macron had taken a PCR test before leaving France and that his doctor had taken an antigen test once they arrived in Moscow.
The second person told Reuters, “The Russians told us Putin needed to be maintained in a strict health bubble.”