Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived in Hangzhou for the G20 summit bearing a Russian specialty as a gift for Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Putin gave the Chinese leader a box of Russian ice cream - not vodka - as a host gift.

China and Russia already share amicable relations, and the frosty treat could be the proverbial cherry on top. Whether the gift was simply a kind gesture or a shout-out to the Chinese for inventing the dessert is unknown, as is the flavor of Putin's offering.

Like Us on Facebook

Xi was certainly pleased, and he even indicated that he had been craving some of the Russian delicacy.

"Every time that I come to Russia, I ask them to buy me Russian ice cream," Xi said, according to NDTV. "The fresh cream you have is the best[;] that's why your ice cream is particularly delicious. I like it a lot," he explained.

Putin decided to bring the ice cream after a Chinese businessman in Vladivostok, Russia told him that he was not able to pass through customs with the sweet dish, according to RT.

"I promised to bring it for you," said Putin, "and I've brought you a whole box of ice cream."

In future visits to China, Putin said he will always "bring ice cream as a gift for Xi [Jinping]."

China's warm reception of Putin's cold present stands in stark contrast to the welcome the country gave the US delegation.

US president Barack Obama was forced to use an emergency exit from Air Force One. Other world leaders exited their planes via red-carpeted staircases as they arrived in Hangzhou for China's first G20 meeting.

While Chinese officials claimed that their treatment of the most powerful man in the world was a mistake, China expert Bill Bishop was not so sure they are being truthful.

"This clearly plays very much into the [idea]: 'Look, we can make the American president go out of the ass of the plane," he told the Guardian. 

TagsPutin, Russian ice cream, ice cream, Russia-China relationship, Xi Jinping, G20 summit