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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Putin dazzles with German skills as he unexpectedly steps in as translator at forum (VIDEO) | Putin dazzles with German skills as he unexpectedly steps in as translator at forum (VIDEO) |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Russian president has surprised the audience at a forum in St. Petersburg, by allowing his German language skills to shine. He stepped in as translator for the former State Secretary of the German Defense Ministry Willy Wimmer. | The Russian president has surprised the audience at a forum in St. Petersburg, by allowing his German language skills to shine. He stepped in as translator for the former State Secretary of the German Defense Ministry Willy Wimmer. |
| Wimmer had something to say on the topic of the national idea and value system that identifies Russia. | Wimmer had something to say on the topic of the national idea and value system that identifies Russia. |
| Putin was enthusiastic enough to ensure Wimmer’s translator was not needed, and the president had no trouble whatsoever in translating the former defense secretary as he spoke. | Putin was enthusiastic enough to ensure Wimmer’s translator was not needed, and the president had no trouble whatsoever in translating the former defense secretary as he spoke. |
| The German guest later wondered in an interview with RIA news agency if the episode qualified for the Guinness Book of World Records, as it’s not so often that a president acts as a translator at a public event. | The German guest later wondered in an interview with RIA news agency if the episode qualified for the Guinness Book of World Records, as it’s not so often that a president acts as a translator at a public event. |
| Wimmer later told RT that he couldn’t ever expect the Russian president to become his interpreter. | |
| “My wonderful translator was a surprise. I was surprised and I think the whole audience was surprised that the President made use of this opportunity and showed us his excellent knowledge of German language,” he said. | |
| The former State Secretary of the German Defense Ministry stressed that it was pure improvisation on the part of Putin as “there was no chance to prepare” for him. | |
| The amusing moment was provoked by a Russian journalist’s question at the very end of the President’s meeting with the press, and it referred to a discussion held on the previous day of the forum. | |
| Following the event, Wimmer was invited for a one-on-one one chat with the Russian, calling it an indication of “how relaxed and how friendly the whole atmosphere in Saint Petersburg has been.” | |
| “I told [Putin] that this is a unique opportunity that the president of such an important country translates in a public audience something, which is addressed by a guest. I think this never happened before,” he said. | |
| According to the politician, he and the Russian president mainly talked about Wimmer’s native Dusseldorf area in Western Germany during their meeting. | |
| The 3rd Truth and Justice Media Forum of Independent Regional and Local Media took place in Saint Petersburg from April 4 to April 7, gathering over 500 journalists, bloggers, officials and foreign guests. |