PARIS, France — The world diplomatic community was stunned today when U.S. President Barack Obama accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s challenge to a drinking contest.

The stakes: control of Ukraine, which Russian troops invaded several months ago.

The Paris talks between the U.S. and Russia have been ongoing since the invasion but have often been strained to the point of open hostility. But none of the assembled diplomats and journalists could have predicted a drinking contest between the two most powerful men in the world.

As aides cleared most of the room, leaving few reporters and neutral diplomats as witnesses, many bottles of alcohol were brought in. The two men exchanged awkward pleasantries and then began to drink. President Putin graciously allowed Mr. Obama to drink whatever alcohol he wanted, declaring that he, Putin, would restrict himself to only straight vodka.

Conversation during the contest was strictly off the record but included topics such as soccer, windsurfing,…

Obama Accepts Putin's Invitation To Drinking…

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