I Met President Putin
By DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
United States
October 27, 2019 8:02am CST
We were leaving our hotel after breakfast on our first trip to London, when we noticed the roads closed and police everywhere. Within minutes, Putin came out of the building surrounded by bodyguards and entered his black bulletproof, fireproof, and perhaps bombproof limousine.
The limousine pulled alongside us, and I clearly saw Putin. He smiled and waved and I gave a tiny finger wave back. So, I kind have met him.
The photo is of our grandson’s Russian ice hockey team. He’s the goalie in the front left side of the photo. There are 8 kids from Russia on the team and his head coach is Russian. He now speaks Russian.
By the way, both sets of my grandparents escaped Russia for a better life in the USA. I wonder what Putin would think about that?
The photo is of our grandson’s Russian ice hockey team. He’s the goalie in the front left side of the photo. There are 8 kids from Russia on the team and his head coach is Russian. He now speaks Russian.
By the way, both sets of my grandparents escaped Russia for a better life in the USA. I wonder what Putin would think about that?38 people like this
40 responses
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
27 Oct 19
Putin's ancestors came from Italy, from the region near Venice. Surnames ending with the letter -n are common there. The surname Putin still exists there as you can read in this newspaper article.
Btw, I congratulate your grandson on picking up Russian. The more languages someone knows, the better.
Adelina Putin, a glamorous DJ and aspiring politician in Italy, aims to cash in on sharing the same surname as Vladimir Putin
6 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
27 Oct 19
For a brief second I thought you gave him the finger. 
Had to read that one again. LOL.
Had to read that one again. LOL.5 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
27 Oct 19
So many escaped Russia for a better life and went to so many other countries. My mother’s father lived in Paris and worked as a diamond cutter for two years to save enough money to come to the USA. He became a fruit peddler here. My father’s father became a successful businessman.
Kids pick up languages so quickly! Thanks.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
27 Oct 19
@LadyDuck I believe my grandfather moved to Paris first, because of the Russian Jews he knew there. We visited the Marais every time we went to Paris. He moved there in the early 1900s. I wonder if he knew the grandparents of your friend?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Oct 19
For a second there, I thought you were a total badass, giving Putin the middle finger! Obviously, I read that sentence wrong! LOL
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Oct 19
@DianneN I'm sure you wouldn't have been the first person to give him what I like to refer to as "the international peace symbol!" haha
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Oct 19
Because the USSR were allies during WWII, it is somewhat overlooked the Russian attitude toward Jewish people was almost as bad as the Nazi's. I once read that Stalin's attitude was he hoped the Germans would "take care" of the Russian Jews but don't know if he really said that. At least it worked out well for all your grandparents.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Oct 19
@DianneN BTW, have you ever been to Anne Frank House in Amsterdam? Extraordinary experience.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180503)
• United States
27 Oct 19
I have directly met several famous politicians in my day..Bob Dole I was on an airplane with..Janet Reno I stood in front of an airport check in line. The late Senator Edward Brooke, I met in a Popeye's chicken of all places. I shook hands with George McGovern. I saw Charles and Diana in a limo..In my pic though, they just look like shadows.
2 people like this
Wow!@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Oct 19
I also saw McGovern and Prince Charles in person. I saw Reagan several times when he was CA governor. Jimmy Carter twice. Once before he was president and campaigning and second from a distance at a Braves game. Saw Trump way back when. Saw the limo with Nixon inside.
2 people like this
@marguicha (222879)
• Chile
28 Oct 19
I thought you had really talked with him I have been with some important people during my life.
I have been with some important people during my life.2 people like this
@much2say (55582)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Oct 19
I had a chuckle as my daughter is trying to work on a Russian accent for some reason 
. I imagine Putin in person is pretty much as how we see him on the screen. Russian coaches are super tough - but you can really see the results in those they train. I love the team's attitude in this photo 
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. I imagine Putin in person is pretty much as how we see him on the screen. Russian coaches are super tough - but you can really see the results in those they train. I love the team's attitude in this photo .2 people like this
@much2say (55582)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Oct 19
@DianneN She is weird . She tells us her friends think she speaks with a slight Russian accent and I don't know where they get that from. She has been fascinated by some Russian YouTube person who speaks English - maybe it's rubbing off on her . Ah, so Putin is short ! A lot of champions come from Russian training - they work 'em hard but hey, that's what it takes. Your grandkids love what they do - and that's a big plus too. Happy Monday now! 
. She tells us her friends think she speaks with a slight Russian accent and I don't know where they get that from. She has been fascinated by some Russian YouTube person who speaks English - maybe it's rubbing off on her . Ah, so Putin is short ! A lot of champions come from Russian training - they work 'em hard but hey, that's what it takes. Your grandkids love what they do - and that's a big plus too. Happy Monday now! 1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
28 Oct 19
@much2say Perhaps your daughter’s YouTube videos are working. That’s so cute!
Those Russian athletes are awesome, but they don’t live at home and all they do is practice. It’s not the life we want for our grandkids. They will do it until they don’t. No big deal.
Happy Monday to you, too! Have an awesome week ahead.
Perhaps your daughter’s YouTube videos are working. That’s so cute!
Those Russian athletes are awesome, but they don’t live at home and all they do is practice. It’s not the life we want for our grandkids. They will do it until they don’t. No big deal.
Happy Monday to you, too! Have an awesome week ahead.@DianneN (247186)
• United States
27 Oct 19
Really? Your daughter is trying to speak English with a Russian accent?.
He was pretty skinny looking and short.and fortunately kept his shirt on.
My grandson loves this coach. My granddaughter has two Russian coaches, a male head coach and a female. She’s very comfortable with them, which is a huge plus. Thank you! Happy Sunday!
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He was pretty skinny looking and short.and fortunately kept his shirt on.
My grandson loves this coach. My granddaughter has two Russian coaches, a male head coach and a female. She’s very comfortable with them, which is a huge plus. Thank you! Happy Sunday!2 people like this
@allknowing (136128)
• India
28 Oct 19
Your title is misleading. I almost thought he hugged you. 
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106011)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Oct 19
Love the photo. That is a good way to learn a new language.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106011)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Oct 19
@DianneN Easier than we do. But being with people who already know it helps a lot.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
27 Oct 19
so lucky they got away and obviously got a better life then most here
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Oct 19
I think he would call you comrade Dianne and try to get you to pay back taxes in Russia lol
2 people like this
