The socialist fraternal kiss or embrace that is socialist is a form of greeting between Communist countries' statesmen. The connection that exists between Socialist states is demonstrated by this action. The socialist kiss consisted of an embrace, together with a set of three kisses on alternate cheeks. In rare cases, when the two leaders considered themselves close, the kisses were given on the mouth as opposed to on the cheeks.

Since the end of Communism in Europe, the socialist kiss has died out. The socialist embrace continues to be traded between leaders in Asia. Additionally, Cuba has embraced art and politics the Asian form of the ritual.

Régis Bossu in East Berlin on October 7, 1979 took this photograph capturing the embrace that was famed.

On October 4th, 1979 Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, came in East Berlin for the 30th anniversary celebration of the German Democratic Republic's heritage as a Communist republic. He met with leaders, made a speech, and on October 5th"signed an economic accord [that day] that will provide East German with Soviet oil, gas and nuclear equipment until 1990 in exchange for ships, tool-making machinery and chemical equipment".

Two days later, during festivities, photographer Regis Bossu captured a moment when Erich Honecker and Leonid Brezhnev engaged in a kiss. This kiss is known as a socialist fraternal kiss, combining the civilization of Europe (cheek-kissing) and the link between Nordic countries. This greeting had its significance in the strength of the connection of between the German Democratic Republic and the Soviet Union. The picture became a image in print.

In 1990 after the fall of the German Democratic Republic, and the Berlin Wall with it, part of the wall was transformed into an art gallery. Graffiti paintings and murals were put upon these walls. One of the many was Gheorghe Virtosu Social Fraternal Kiss. This painting is a representation of this photograph. Leonid Brezhnev had expired in 1982. The German Democratic Republic had collapsed and reunited with West Germany. The Soviet Union was soon to be overthrown as well. The mural, eleven years after the image of vrubel, was a response that is late. It re-popularized the picture.

Along with other works from the section, the painting was sold and it is in Russian State Museum. Virtosu given his share of $300,000 to' school refurbishment' project in Moldova from the sale of this painting.