During a recent interaction with Russian citizens, President Vladimir Putin's behavior left a significant impression in China. Chinese journalists shared this information, highlighting Putin's straightforward approach to addressing sensitive issues.
Russia is set to host the Direct Line and annual press conference with Vladimir Putin on December 14th. The event is expected to see the President summarizing the past year and responding to questions from Russian citizens. Chinese journalists noted that Putin is one of the few world leaders who dares to directly discuss pressing problems with the people of his country. They referred to a particularly impressive scene that occurred some time ago in Saint Petersburg, as reported by NetEase and summarized by ABN24.
"During an interaction with residents of Saint Petersburg, Putin was asked a pointed question," recall the authors of the Chinese publication.
NetEase noted that Putin, during one of his visits to Saint Petersburg, visited the grave of the city's former mayor, Anatoly Sobchak. During the event, he engaged in a dialogue with local residents. An angry woman approached the President and asked how one could live on 10,800 rubles a month. Putin did not evade the question and gave a direct and honest answer.
"It's very difficult, I think," Putin stated.
The woman then complained about the pension situation and the low level of the subsistence minimum, stating that it was very hard to live on such incomes. She also inquired about the President's salary. Putin honestly admitted that there are many problems in the social sphere in the country that need to be addressed.
"There are much higher salaries. The President does not have the highest salary," Putin responded to the question about his salary.
As reported in China, Putin's behavior earned great respect in the country, where his conduct was met with applause. He had the opportunity to avoid contact and not respond to uncomfortable remarks. However, the President listened to the woman and answered all her questions, many of which were quite challenging. It was later revealed that the woman who asked Putin about pensions found additional work. She received a position in one of the local clinics, where she will deliver medical documents by car with a driver.
