Russian netizens are hotly discussing a video that was broadcast live of Putin at a press conference. During the conference, a reporter asked him a question about corruption, and how many billions of roubles had been embezzled from a project called “Slavyanka”, and then rather hotly asked if he knew or not. He responded that he did not know, and was interrupted as he was trying to explain. At this point, he asked the woman’s name, and switched from using the polite form “вы”, to using the informal “ты”, normally used only between close friends. He also used a diminutive of the woman’s name, and used the non-standard vocative case, which further adds to the elements of condescension and informality in the exchange.
The woman responded in kind, calling Putin “Vova” instead of “Vladimir”. However, netizens accuse Putin of deliberately being offensive and condescending, and have championed the lady’s response. The video is below, followed by a transcript from about 0:10 – 0:40.
From YouTube:
Reporter: I would like to say, or ask, even, what can you tell us about this leadership and how to get the money back that they embezzled, “Slavyanka” and so on. What can we do to protect the Russian Federation?
V. Putin: What, have they been embezzling there?
Reporter: They’ve been embezzling. Billions. Don’t you know?
V. Putin: No. (laughter) No, I don’t know. I’ll tell you why now.
Reporter: Answer, please.
V. Putin: What’s your name?
Reporter: Maria is my name.
V. Putin: Masha, pop yourself down on your chair, love. I’m going to reply now.
Reporter: Cheers, Vova.
[Note: the penultimate line here is loosely translated to attempt to give a feel of the tone. Literally, Putin said “Masha, sit down, please. I’m going to reply now”, but as English does not have T-V distinction, this does not render the tone well. See Wikipedia for more.]
Comments from YouTube:
eeblizzard:
With that exact same KGB filth smile he said “She sank” about those killed on the submarine.
[Note: the commenter is referring to the Kursk tragedy of 2000, when, as this video shows, Putin grinned as he explained that the Kursk had sunk.]
Mikhail Berezin:
Nice one, lady! Let the imposter/trickster know that the rules of the game are that you should only give out what you can take in return…
Aleksandr134odessa:
I’m in shock from these comments! To speak that way about our president… complete degradation of the nation… maybe there was a bit of familiarity, but that was how she presented herself. I don’t see any humiliation here – they just wanted to conduct the press conference in a friendly and trustworthy way. If you call this rudeness, then what would you call your behaviour and vile remarks about the leader of the country? And who are the judges?
zakcharevich:
“Cheers Vova” Nice one reporter!!! Don’t be afraid to point out and underline Putin’s all-powerful rudeness!! I respect brave people!!!
Павел Мухин:
Maria’s just put Putin on his arse beautifully.
Татьяна Мачавариани:
The highest level of intelligence is calling a citizen of your country, an adult woman, “Masha”!
[Note: the commenter is being sarcastic]
Vitaly Yakubenko: (responding to above)
Who gives a shit, Vova himself is under 60 [and so should be allowed to address her informally]
eugenealive:
And straight away there’s a trembling creature in the background calling out “put down the microphone”.
MrAptizzt:
And so it begins… to start with, you say “Cheers Vova” to the present. Next, you say “fuck off” to his face. Maybe it’s the beginning of the end?
eminhasanov91:
I wonder if she’s still all right now)
Felix Flores:
He was already sweating when she asked him the question! Vova)))
FUUUUable:
Putin = pig
Avtoritetniy:
She’s got balls of steel, but they won’t save her from the FSB (((
chehotela:
What happened to Maria? She drowned.
[Note: see the first comment for an explanation of this, noting that in Russian, “sank” and “drowned” are the same word.]
