Vladimir Putin thanks Russian Father Christmas “Father Frost” for helping him win the presidency
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been the victim of fires from Western and European countries, expressed his gratitude to Father Frost for helping him become president, the Moscow Times reported Thursday. He thanked Father Frost – the Russian version of Santa Claus – and urged the mythical figure to make Moscow’s dreams and future plans come true.
Putin’s message came as he addressed a marathon press conference on Christmas Eve. While expressing his satisfaction, Putin recalled the day he was appointed Russian president.
Notably, the former intelligence officer became president on New Year’s Eve in 1999 after Russia’s first post-Soviet leader Boris Yeltsin abruptly resigned his post. Subsequently, Putin, who held the post of Prime Minister, took over from Yeltsin.
Speaking of Father Frost, Putin explained that a bearded figure very similar to Santa Claus has been distributing gifts on New Years Eve for over thousands of years. Additionally, he said that the mythological character Father Frost was assisted by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, or The Snow Maiden.
“My relationship with Father Frost has always developed in the right direction. I am grateful to him for being able to meet you in my capacity,” quoted the Moscow Times, citing the statement by the incumbent Russian president.
“I hope that he will not only give us gifts but that he will also carry out the projects of the country and of each citizen,” added the Russian president.
“Father Frost only fulfills the wishes of boys and girls who have been good”
According to the news agency, the Russian president was responding to a question from a journalist based in Veliky Ustyug, a town in northwest Russia that is believed to be home to Father Frost. Notably, the reporter questioned the recent lawsuit filed by someone claiming that Father Frost had not satisfied his cravings for over 23 years.
“I can defend Father Frost and remind the Complainant that Father Frost only achieves the wishes of boys and girls who have been good,” Putin said, adding that the Complainant should “scrutinize his behavior.”