Putin Reveals Family Members' Chinese Fluency, Highlighting Russia-China Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed that some of his younger family members speak fluent Chinese, offering a rare glimpse into his personal life while underscoring strengthening Russia-China relations.
In a rare disclosure about his personal life, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that some of his younger family members are fluent in Chinese. This statement, made during a visit to a secondary school in Kyzyl, Tuva, approximately 2,800 miles east of Moscow, offers a glimpse into the typically secretive world of the Russian leader's family.
Putin's known children, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, are both approaching 40 years of age. They are the daughters of Putin and his ex-wife Lyudmila Putina, from whom he divorced about 10 years ago. Both daughters have been subject to EU and US sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine 31 months ago.
The Russian president's family life has long been shrouded in mystery. There are unconfirmed rumors about additional children, possibly with former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, and an alleged love child with Svetlana Krivonogikh. However, the Kremlin has consistently denied these claims.
Putin's revelation about his family members' language skills comes against the backdrop of strengthening Russia-China relations. The two nations declared a "no limits" partnership just days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and 16 months ago, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged a "new era" in bilateral relations.
The Russian leader, known for his own linguistic abilities, emphasized the importance of language learning. Putin, who is fluent in German from his time as a KGB officer and proficient in English, told the students not to disregard the English language, stating, "English is a great language, it has given humanity a great deal in terms of combining knowledge and uniting people in the field of culture."
According to Russia's 2022 census, the most widely spoken languages in the country are Russian, English, Tatar, German, and Chechen. Globally, English remains the most spoken language with approximately 1.5 billion speakers, followed by Mandarin Chinese with about 1.1 billion speakers.
Putin's comments not only provide insight into his family but also reflect his personal interest in languages and cultural exchange. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to multilingualism, which aligns with Russia's diverse linguistic landscape. The Russian Federation officially recognizes 35 languages as national languages, highlighting the country's cultural diversity.
"English is a great language, it has given humanity a great deal in terms of combining knowledge and uniting people in the field of culture, and so on."
This rare glimpse into Putin's personal life and his family's linguistic abilities serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between personal, political, and diplomatic spheres in international relations.
