What did Putin say about the controversial photo of him riding a bear?
The photograph of President Vladimir Putin shirtless riding a bear has become a symbol of the Russian leader's strength, yet many remain skeptical about its authenticity.
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| A photoshopped image of President Putin riding a bear has been shared online. Photo: Sputnik |
In an interview with the channelNBCIn an episode aired on March 9th, host Megyn Kelly asked President Putin about photos of him participating in outdoor activities, including a moment where the Russian leader was shirtless sitting on the back of a bear.
“I’m very relaxed. There are many photos of me working, but nobody cares about them. I’ve also seen photos of me riding a bear, but I’ve never done that. Yet those photos still exist,” President Putin said in an interview.
Although the photo of him riding a bear is a photoshopped image, President Putin has actually been seen shirtless on numerous occasions while riding horses or fishing. Furthermore, he regularly maintains his fitness through sports activities such as swimming, playing hockey, and martial arts.
Regarding the Russian leader's health, host Kelly asked: "Your election is coming up in two weeks. You're 65 years old this year. Most people slow down a bit. Do you see yourself like that in the future?"
"First of all, I must say that there are many politicians around the world who are older than me and they are still very active," Putin said.
"Including my country," Megyn Kelly asked, implying the United States.
“Not only in America, but in other countries as well. There are many such people in Europe and everywhere in the world. But if a person holds the highest positions, that person must work as if it were the first and last day of their life. That is the constitution. I have never violated and never changed the constitution. Of course, if the voters give me the opportunity to work for another term, I will do my best,” President Putin replied.
Running as an independent candidate against seven rivals, Putin is preparing for the Russian presidential election, scheduled for March 18th. Surveys conducted by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center from February 19-22 and 24-26 showed that 69.1% of voters surveyed said they would vote for Putin.
