“Dear women, you possess a mysterious power: you keep up with everything juggle a myriad of tasks, and yet remain tender, unforgettable and full of charm,” Putin wrote. “You bring goodness and beauty, hope and light into this world. We are proud of you and we love you.”
Some human rights activists might take exception, but Putin certainly has a way with words — if not women.
His open letter:
Dear women,
From all my heart, I congratulate you on International Women’s Day. Russia celebrates this holiday with particular love, probably more so than any other country. It is a holiday filled with gifts and flowers and with our warmest, fondest feelings for our mothers, wives, daughters, colleagues and all the women close to women close to our hearts. After all, it is women who give us life and warm us with their love, support and care. It is women, with their dignity and compassion, who incarnate Russia’s true soul.
I want to say particular words of gratitude today to the women of the wartime generation. Your strength of spirit and your feats taught us to be real men and reach victory in spite of all the obstacles. Today’s women follow in your footsteps, succeeding in every field, in professional and creative careers and public work, and create a happy and comfortable environment for founding families and raising children.
Dear women, you possess a mysterious power: you keep up with everything, juggle a myriad of tasks, and yet remain tender, unforgettable and full of charm. You bring goodness and beauty, hope and light into this world. We are proud of you and we love you.
Once again, let me congratulate you sincerely on this holiday. I wish you days and years filled with joy. I wish you happiness.
Social media reaction included:
He sure does NOT support women like the groupPussy riot..When Pussy riot speaks out to support the rights of ALL people in his country.He is the recipient of my “LIAR, liar, balls on fire” award today.
Posted by Jean Douthwright on Wednesday, March 9, 2016
flattery will get you everywhere, vlad! (~_^) “You possess a mysterious power”–Putin congratulates Russian women… https://t.co/LXX4y1Wq3G
— hbd chick (@hbdchick) March 9, 2016
Daughters of the Opposition: A Trio of Women Challenging Putin and the Kremlin. https://t.co/NC4fWsbmJ8
— SPIEGEL English (@SPIEGEL_English) March 9, 2016
Vladimir Putin celebrates International Women’s Day by writing the least feminist letter you ever read. https://t.co/eB74H3MC20
— Hugo Rifkind (@hugorifkind) March 9, 2016
An open letter from Vladimir Putin to the women of the world https://t.co/a1NmuaNgkE pic.twitter.com/ihuCVXsiKH
— Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) March 8, 2016
If Russia is so great then why do all these incredibly hot Russian women want to date me & other American men? Answer that Mr. Putin!
— Christopher Pawelski (@ChrisPawelski) February 27, 2016
smooth talking putin
Posted by David Casey on Wednesday, March 9, 2016
This guy taints Nadia!s page, but we must understand the sickness of this goon. His praise is as good as a prison…
Posted by Nadia Savchenko on Tuesday, March 8, 2016
My kind of leader hunts game, master chess player and can write love letters melting female hearts all over? Putin the ultimate gentleman lol
Posted by Margo Hatifi on Tuesday, March 8, 2016