Under the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower, during a romantic walk on a tropical beach, or nestled in a quiet corner of your favourite restaurant? Planning the perfect proposal is a struggle familiar to would-be newlyweds the world over.
Halfway through Vladimir Putin’s end-of-year press conference — televised across Russia and coming after the Russian leader threatened to level Ukrainian cities and not back down in his nearly four-year military offensive in the country — is not high on many lovers’ list.
For regional journalist Kirill Bazhanov, it was just the moment.
Dressed in a red bow tie and holding a poster reading “I want to get married”, Bazhanov caught the eye of the longtime ruler and got his chance.
“I know that my girlfriend is watching the press conference now. Olechka, marry me!” he said, drawing applause from the audience of mostly pro-government regional journalists.
Putin uses his hours-long TV marathon both as a forum for fiery foreign policy statements and to offer up all sorts of advice on love and family matters, recite poetry or promise to fix potholes.
Bazhanov, who went on to ask about a question about the high cost of living in Russia, was made to wait for his answer.
After an hour or so, the hosts interrupted Putin to deliver the happy news. Olechka had said yes. Cue fresh whoops and applause.
Putin did not respond to the invitation to attend the upcoming nuptials, but did offer to organise a whip-round.
“Kirill was just asking about the material conditions for young families. And that’s right — a man should be the breadwinner. Now we’ll pass the hat around and collect at least enough for the wedding,” he said.
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