What ring?

Sure, we knows The Putin is tricksy, but we had no idea how tricksy.

This from the Chicago Tribune via the Hartford Courant

From the Hartford Courant
Putin gets Super gift

By Paul Doyle
The Hartford Courant

June 29, 2005

With 124 diamonds, the Patriots' latest Super Bowl ring is among the most gaudy and expensive of its kind.

And apparently, the ring has enough bling, bling to catch the eye of the most somber of ex-KGB agents. Russian president Vladimir Putin, hardly a man who flashes diamonds, was taken with the ring worn by Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

When Kraft and a group of American executives shared face time with Putin Saturday, the NFL's most successful owner handed Putin the ring. Putin fitted his finger with the ring, removed it and slipped it into his pocket.

Did Kraft intend to give Putin the ring as a gift? Or did Putin misunderstand the gesture and assume the ring was his for the taking?
...

Kraft was traveling Wednesday and a Patriots spokesman said it would all be explained when he returns next week.

But by the end of the day, Kraft had issued a statement. The ring was a gift, Kraft explained.
…

After a two hour meeting, Putin held a press conference. Posing with Kraft, Weill and Murdoch, Putin admired the ring.

"It's a Super Bowl ring ... it's a very good ring," Kraft reportedly said.

According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, Putin "carefully tried it on, but when he noticed that photo and video cameras were pointed at him, quickly took it off and held it in the fist."

And before leaving the room, Putin pocketed the ring.

Sure it was a gift.

Nothing to add but:

1, Oh come on! What is this, tee-ball? I am not going to swing at a pitch this fat and low and [insert theoretically unlimited number of Precioussss jokes here]

2. Does anyone know anyone at the Department of Heavy Handed Metaphors? Because I think the image of The Russian stealing the Ring of Power from The Bumfuzzled American “Patriot”, on camera and with a “Fuck You” smile on his face is just too…too.