Fawning state TV hosts praise Putin’s ‘wonderful reactions’ ‘great physique’ and ‘martial art skills’… after Russian leader stops a PENCIL rolling off a table
- Putin, 68, caught pencil before it rolled off the desk during a virtual meeting
- Fine motor skills were addressed in weekly prime-time slot dedicated to leader
- TV host gushed at how the president was ‘clearly in great shape’
- Russian President has cultivated a macho image and has a black belt in judo
Vladimir Putin’s physical prowess has been praised by fawning TV hosts after he stopped a pencil from rolling off the edge of a table.
The 68-year-old Russian leader, known for bare-chested horse riding, swims in frigid lakes and his black belt in judo, has been confined to the Kremlin for much of the pandemic.
But that didn’t stop him from exhibiting his dexterity as he caught the tumbling pencil during a virtual meeting to the delight of state TV sycophants.
‘His reactions were wonderful and he is clearly in great shape – his martial arts skills have not left him,’ said host Vladimir Solovyov, presenter of the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. programme which is broadcast at prime-time on Sundays.
Vladimir Putin, 68, known for his sporting abilities, catches a pencil before it rolls off the edge of his desk during a recent virtual meeting
The president showed off his fine motor skills as he grabbed the pencil just as it rolled to the edge of the table
Host Vladimir Solovyov (left), presenter of the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme, was delighted by the ordinary piece of footage
Solovyov then turned to his guest to ask if he had ever tried such a manoeuvre to which the man replied he had not.
‘Pavel, you need to exercise as much as you can,’ Solovyov advised his colleague, as he marvelled at Putin’s pencil catch.
The programme which launched in 2018 has previously been accused of building a Soviet-style personality cult around Putin.
It has previously commented on the president’s kindness to children, his physique and even joked that bears are afraid of the ex-KGB operative.
The clip was roundly mocked on social media, including on Twitter – which had its speeds clamped by the Kremlin last week over ‘illegal’ material.
‘If Putin hadn’t caught that pencil, it would have been caught by a NATO soldier,’ one Russian user joked.
Oleg Kozyrev, a blogger, said: ‘Even the pencil wanted to get away from Putin.’
Putin has a black belt in judo, he is also proficient on horseback and on ice skates
Putin was first named acting president on the last day of the 20th century, when his predecessor Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned.
He has ruled Russia ever since and last year pushed through constitutional amendments which mean he can remain in power until 2036, by which time he will be 83.
He is still supported by the majority of Russians, 48 per cent according to the Levada Centre, despite the recent protests over the detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Young people are the least likely to support him, with the number of 18 to 24-year-olds saying they no longer backed him rising from 31 per cent to 46 per cent last year.
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