Edith Hejberg
It was a rare moment for a leader who usually sticks to Russian during diplomatic events.
In an unexpected twist at the close of the Alaska summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin capped his meeting with Donald Trump by speaking in clear, deliberate English. Smiling, he quipped, “And next time in Moscow” a comment that needed no translation.
A Strategic Use of Language
Putin also ended the summit with another phrase in English: “Thank you so much.” While such off-the-cuff remarks are not unheard of for the Russian leader, they’re still uncommon.
Putin has long preferred the precision and control offered by professional interpreters in high-level talks, particularly when stakes are high.
Fluent in German, Comfortable With English
Though he often relies on translators, Putin is far from monolingual. He’s fluent in German, a skill developed during his Cold War-era KGB posting in Dresden, East Germany.
His conversations with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel were frequently conducted in German. Kremlin officials have also confirmed that Putin speaks “good English.”
Understanding More Than He Lets On
In a May phone call with Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed that Putin could grasp much of the conversation before the interpreter chimed in.
That ability likely helped during their brief ride together in Trump’s presidential limousine after arriving in Alaska. According to Peskov, Putin understands English “almost completely.”
The Politics Behind Translation
Using interpreters isn’t just about language, it’s a tactic. Having a translator adds a buffer, giving leaders time to reflect and deflect.
At Friday’s summit, Putin appeared confused when journalists shouted tough questions in English about Ukraine. His apparent lack of response might’ve been deliberate, as he gestured that he couldn’t hear.
Occasional Public Appearances in English
Despite his usual reluctance, Putin has made several notable appearances speaking English. In a 2008 CNN interview about Georgia, he partially spoke in English.
In 2013, he recorded a two-and-a-half-minute video, entirely in English, to promote Yekaterinburg’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo, calling it a “priority national project.”
“Blueberry Hill” and Other Surprises
Perhaps his most talked-about English-language moment came in 2010, when Putin sang “Blueberry Hill” at a charity gala in St. Petersburg.
Though he stumbled over a few lyrics, his performance caught global attention. Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Kevin Costner, and Kurt Russell were there to see it live.
Trump’s Playful Response to Moscow Invite
Trump didn’t miss a beat when Putin extended the informal invitation to Moscow. “Ooh, that’s an interesting one,” he replied with a grin. “I don’t know, I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening.
Thank you very much, Vladimir.” The exchange was a fittingly unscripted end to a carefully choreographed summit.
