Warning: Some readers may find the following images and video offensive. Those who don’t, are welcome to complete the bubble thought in the opening picture in the comments after the break.
If you read our earlier story about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to VW’s booth at the Hannover Messe Industrie 2013, you’ve probably noticed a grin on his face. While we assumed it had something to do with the XL1, it seems that the reason may very well have been a bizarre scene that occurred a little earlier…
Just as Putin and Merkel were preparing to get in the XL1, three topless activists from Ukraine’s FEMEN group rushed into the hall screaming and calling the Russian leader a “dictator”, among other names.
One of the women had written on her chest “F*** Dictator”, while another had “Partners in Crime” written on her back. Of course, the incident didn’t make its way into Volkswagen’s press release. Vladimir Putin joked that he liked what he had seen while also dismissing German criticism of his human rights record.
“Regarding this performance, I liked it,” said Putin at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “I did not catch what they were shouting, I did not even see if they were blondes, brunettes or chestnut-haired … I don’t see anything terrible in the protest, though I think … it is better to be dressed if one wants to discuss political matters,” Putin said.
He suggested that the security men could have been “gentler” and added that the incident helped to promote the trade fair. According to Russia Today, Putin also said that he was duly informed about the coming protest of FEMEN.
However, his reaction, as seen in the photos seems quite genuine and proves that he enjoyed the show (well, at least on the surface). You can also watch how the incident unfolded in the video below.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story References: Reuters , Photo Credits: Femen