According to the Independent this weekend - everything Putin needs arrives by plane - Russian cooks, Russian waiters, Russian ingredients - and teams of diplomats who negotiate what he will be eating with the host country. He cannot be served milk products but no-one (except him?) knows why. He might be lactose intolerant but could just be terrified of poisoning. He cannot consume any foreigh foodstuffs that haven't been cleared by the Kremlin, and the cooking of any of his (Russian) ingredients by local cooks has to be supervised and approved by his 'Special Services'.

And I thought asking for a large espresso with hot milk on the side was fussy!?