Putin ignores German tank determination, dispenses profession recommendation on Moscow College go to By Reuters

(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin averted commenting on Germany’s landmark determination on Wednesday to produce tanks to Ukraine throughout a go to to Moscow State College, as a substitute shelling out profession recommendation to college students and fielding questions on different subjects.

Germany’s announcement that it will ship Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine after weeks of strain from its allies prompted a livid response from Russia’s international ministry and its embassy in Berlin, however the president steered away from the difficulty.

Putin, a fluent German speaker who served within the former East Germany as a KGB officer, spent greater than an hour responding to college students’ questions on points starting from misplaced canine to quantum expertise, although the conflict in Ukraine additionally saved cropping up not directly.

A scholar named Vladislav from the Russian-occupied Luhansk area of jap Ukraine instructed Putin he had taken half final yr in Moscow’s “particular army operation” in Ukraine and his dream was to work for the FSB safety service, which Putin as soon as headed.

Putin, 70, thanked him for his service and mentioned he would positively take his FSB ambitions into consideration.

“Individuals such as you perceive most acutely the significance of motion to guard folks… and Russia itself,” the president mentioned. “Thank God that you’re alive and properly, folks like you may be wanted each in particular companies and the FSB.”

‘PART OF WORLD CULTURE’

One other scholar mentioned he had taken care of his siblings aged 9, 10 and 16 when his mom left final yr to work as a nurse on the entrance. Putin mentioned he saluted her with a “deep bow”.

A younger girl named Darya instructed Putin she dreamed of working within the presidential administration, and he responded that he would “positively tip off the personnel division”.

Putin took a swipe at Western nations by suggesting some had been utilizing the Ukraine conflict as an excuse to “cancel” Russian tradition – an oft-repeated however unsubstantiated declare by Moscow – however mentioned Russians would proceed to take pleasure in Beethoven and Bach.

“We’re a part of world tradition,” he mentioned.

In his remarks, Putin made solely an oblique allusion to present worldwide tensions, commenting that Germany “strictly talking” remained underneath U.S. army occupation – a reference to allied troops stationed within the NATO nation.

“A lot of what’s occurring (now) has deep roots… Sovereignty can be returned to Europe, however it appears this may take time,” he added.