Support The Moscow Times!

Putin Shows His Softer Side With Pussycat Photo

After making headlines with a photo session with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin is once again stealing the limelight — this time with a cat.

The photo of the president holding a tabby cat — which looks like it wants to get away — was published Friday on the Kremlin's website.

The photo was taken during a working visit to the Russian republic of Khakasia in southern Siberia, where Putin visited homes built for the victims of the forest fires that raged through the region this spring, the Kremlin said.

Putin is often portrayed as an animal lover, allowing himself to be photographed with Amur tigers, dogs, and, at the G20 summit in Brisbane, a koala, among other publicity stunts. According to news website Gazeta.ru, this is the first time the president has been photographed holding a cat.

The last picture of Putin with a cat was in September 2013, when the president taught Russian schoolchildren how to draw the furry animal — from behind.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more