Shocking Video: Vladimir Putin spoke English in rare moment in plea for people to help Russia

Vladimir Putin surprised observers with a rare public display of his English-language skills during Russia’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo. The Russian president, who typically conducts all official business through interpreters, delivered portions of his pitch for Yekaterinburg in clear, if heavily accented, English – offering a glimpse into his linguistic abilities that few outside diplomatic circles ever witness.

The Russian leader’s language proficiency extends beyond English. Fluent in German from his KGB days stationed in Dresden, Putin has occasionally given speeches in German when visiting Austria or Germany. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has revealed that Putin “understands English completely” and sometimes corrects his translators, though he chooses not to speak it publicly except in special circumstances.

This linguistic restraint appears deliberate. When questioned about his language preferences, Putin reportedly quipped: “In Russian, thank God, I get by in German and I can express myself more or less in English.” The comment reveals his careful approach to international diplomacy – preferring the precision of his native tongue over potential misunderstandings that could arise from imperfect foreign language use during high-stakes negotiations.

The revelation of Putin’s English skills adds context to his recent 90-minute phone conversation with Donald Trump about Ukraine. While Trump only speaks English (with perhaps some Slovenian phrases from his wife Melania), the call likely proceeded with Putin understanding Trump directly while responding through interpreters – a dynamic that gives the Russian leader subtle advantages in diplomatic exchanges. This linguistic asymmetry underscores how language choices in geopolitics are never merely about communication, but about control, perception and strategic advantage.