Vladimir Putin Takes Spotlight, Confirms Granddaughter's Chinese Connection
Grandfather Putin publicly discusses his granddaughter for the first time in an interview.
In an unexpected reveal, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled that he has a granddaughter fluent in Chinese – a testament to the growing interest in the language among his close relationships. This intriguing tidbit emerged during a Q&A session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where Putin mentioned his granddaughter's interaction with her Beijing-based nanny.
Previously, the fact that Putin is a grandfather of two had been known, but the identities of his grandchildren were under wraps. The announcement, though seemingly trivial by Western standards, was substantial enough for state-run Russian news agency TASS and journalist Pavel Sarubin to issue breaking news alerts.
When it comes to the personal life of the Kremlin leader, he is notoriously private. From his 30-year marriage to German teacher Lyudmila, which concluded in 2013, he has two daughters: Ekaterina, born in Dresden in 1986, and Maria, who is a year older. However, gossip surrounding possible mistresses and other children remains unconfirmed.
China and Putin: A Strong Alliance Amid Tensions
Putin highlighted the growing interest in the Chinese language among Russians, with China being their foremost ally. Reportedly, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping share a close personal bond. Despite Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China refrained from imposing sanctions on Moscow and refrained from condemning the Kremlin's actions. Instead, both countries maintain a consistent emphasis on the depth of their bilateral relations.
Traditionally, Western journalists grill Putin with questions on the first day of the economic forum. This time, the session took place in the restored conservatory of St. Petersburg – a strategic move by Russia to present itself on the world stage and defy the international isolation sought by the West.
- The growing interest in the Chinese language among Russians, as shown by Vladimir Putin's granddaughter, underscores the strength of the China-Russia alliance, despite international tensions and sanctions.
- Amidst war-and-conflicts and political developments, the Chinese language has emerged as a significant part of Russian politics, making headlines in general news outlets, as evidenced by the attention given to Putin's granddaughter's fluency in Chinese.
