Vladimir Putin has insisted during a trip to Austria he is not embarrassed about the many topless snaps of him on holiday, as he hinted at another job swap to maintain his grip on power.
The Russian President, speaking during a visit to Vienna, said he saw ‘no need to hide behind the bushes’ while on vacation.
Photos of the Kremlin leader with his shirt off – sometimes fishing, holding a gun or riding of horseback – have been seen as an attempt to cultivate a powerful image as a man of action.
But he made light of a question about what was the ‘true story’ behind the ‘half naked’ pictures, saying: ‘You said “half-naked” not “naked”, thank God. When I am on vacation I see no need to hide behind the bushes, and there is nothing wrong with that,’ he said.
Putin, who met with Austria’s young Chancellor Sebastian Kurz during the visit, also hinted he may once again become Prime Minister when his current presidential term ends – a move that would see him maintain his rule over Russia.
Vladimir Putin has insisted he is not embarrassed about the many topless snaps of him on holiday
The Russian President, speaking during a visit to Vienna, Austria, said he saw ‘no need to hide behind the bushes’ while on vacation
Photos of the Kremlin leader with his shirt off -sometimes fishing, holding a gun or riding of horseback – have been seen as an attempt to cultivate a powerful image as a man of action
Putin (left), who met with Austria’s young Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (next to the Russian President) during the visit, also hinted he may once again become Prime Minister when his current presidential term ends – a move that would see him maintain his rule over Russia
The 65-year-old was inaugurated last month for another six-year term. He already is Russia’s longest-serving leader since Josef Stalin.
He served two four-year presidential terms in 2000-2008 before shifting into the prime minister’s seat to observe a limit of two consecutive presidential terms while his longtime ally Dmitry Medvedev was elected president.
Putin reclaimed the presidency in 2012 after the presidential term was extended to six years under Medvedev’s tenure.
One way or another, Putin is widely expected to continue calling the shots in Russia even after his current term ends.
The Russian leader was asked about him being regularly photographed topless, in a series of macho poses
Putin replied that he saw ‘no need to hide in the bushes’ while on holiday and was happy with the world seeing him shirtless
He could do that by initiating the extension of the term limits or abolishing them altogether, shifting into a new position of power or naming a loyal placeholder.
‘My presidential term has just started, I am only at the beginning of this journey so let’s not jump ahead,’ Putin said when asked if he could shift into the prime minister’s seat or leave politics after 2024.
‘I have never violated the constitution of my country and I am not going to.’
He added with a characteristic coyness that ‘a lot will depend on what kind of job we do … and what results we can achieve.’
Meanwhile, Putin also dismissed allegations that he was attempting to divide Europe.
Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen and Putin review a guard of honor after the Russian leader’s arrival at Hofburg palace
President Putin said lifting sanctions against his nation would be in the benefit of both Russia and the West
‘It is not our aim to divide anything or anybody in Europe,’ Putin said.
‘On the contrary, we want to see a united and prosperous European Union, because the European Union is our biggest trade and economic partner.
‘The more problems there are within the European Union, the greater the risks and uncertainties for us.’
As well as the Chancellor and President, Putin met Heinz-Christian Strache, whose far-right Freedom Party entered the government in December as the junior coalition partner.
Strache – whose party has ties with the main Kremlin party, United Russia – called for the EU to lift sanctions against Russia.
Austria will take over the 28-nation EU’s rotating presidency for six months in July.
Putin’s sixth official visit to traditionally neutral Austria marks the 50th anniversary of the start of Soviet gas deliveries to the country.
The United States, the European Union and other Western allies imposed sanctions against Moscow over its 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine who are fighting the government.
Coupled with a drop in oil prices, the sanctions contributed to Russia’s two-year recession.
The Russian economy has rebounded, however, and Putin emphasized that lifting the sanctions would answer common interests.
Over the weekend, Strache – whose party has ties with the main Kremlin party, United Russia – called for the EU to lift sanctions against Russia.
Unlike many other EU countries, Austria didn’t expel Russian diplomats over the nerve agent poisoning in Britain earlier this year of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.