How I imagine most meetings between Merkel and Putin go. With German-Russo relations in the spotlight more prominently than they've been since the Wall came down, the relationship between the nations' leaders is being examined more closely by global news junkies. Vox's Max Fisher, who called German Chancellor Angela Merkel "the pivot point between Russia and the West" in an article this past week, reminded us of Merkel's 2007 quote on Putin following the infamous dog incident: "I understand why he has to do this — to prove he's a man," Merkel said. "He's afraid of his own weakness. Russia has nothing, no successful politics or economy. All they have is this." Pretty harsh words. But it's not like she's had it so easy with the leaders of more politically and economically successful countries either.