Putin names deceased politicians he would like to communicate with

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, December 19, during the "Results of the Year", answering the question about which of the already deceased politicians he would like to communicate with, named former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, former French President Jacques Chirac and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

"If we talk about departed world leaders, I had contacts, not so close, but nevertheless for quite a long time with German Chancellor Mr. Kohl," Putin said when asked which of the living or deceased politicians he would like to meet for tea.

The head of state called Kohl an international figure and noted that the former chancellor had done a lot for Germany and Germans. The President recalled that he first met with the head of the German government in 1993, and then Kohl visited him after he had already left the post of Chancellor.

Putin said that he remembered Chirac as a man-encyclopedist, who knew the answer to any question and had his own opinion about everything, which he strictly adhered to. The former French president was a correct and gallant man.

Berlusconi, as the head of state said, was grasping and warm in communication. The former Italian Prime Minister did a lot for the development of relations between Moscow and Rome. Putin pointed out that there is sympathy for the Russian Federation in the Italian society and it is mutual.

The President noted that Kohl, Berlusconi and Chirac were personalities who concentrated efforts to benefit their countries and strengthen sovereignty. It was very interesting to talk to these politicians.

The head of state pointed to the warm relations with China and India, but emphasized that he would like to see more often his relatives and friends, including those from his childhood.

Earlier, on June 16, 2023, Putin at a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) together with the audience honored the memory of Berlusconi, who died on June 12 of the same year, with a minute of silence.

The direct line with Vladimir Putin in 2024 was combined with a press conference for the media. The format, titled "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin," allows the president to convey his position not only on citizens' issues, but also on the state and world agenda, which is often asked about by journalists. Representatives of Western media and foreign journalists accredited in the Russian Federation also received invitations to the event.

As of the morning of December 19, the number of requests sent to the direct line with the president exceeded 2 million. The first live broadcast was held in December 2001. By the President's own admission, this event is the most powerful sociological poll, which allows citizens to convey their position and assessment of the country's leadership.

The latest news about the "Results of the Year with Vladimir Putin - 2024" - in the Izvestia story.