Angela Merkel has accused Vladimir Putin of exploiting her fear of dogs as part of his “power games” during a meeting with her at his Black Sea resort.

In extracts from her book Freiheit [Freedom], published by German newspaper Die Zeit, the former German chancellor said the encounter was typical of the Russian leader’s tactics.

Mrs Merkel was referring to their notorious meeting in Sochi in 2007, when Putin had Koni, his black labrador, enter the room – despite Mrs Merkel’s reported dislike of the animals.

Mrs Merkel, who is said to have been afraid of dogs since being bitten by one in 1995, wrote that Putin was “always on his guard to avoid being treated badly and always ready to dish it out, including power games with dogs and making others wait for him”.