Russian President Vladimir Putin left an unexpected highlight at the Alaska summit with US President Donald Trump when he closed his remarks with a burst of English — a rare move for the Kremlin leader.
With a smile, Putin turned to Trump and said: “And next time in Moscow.” No interpreter needed. Moments later, he added another English phrase: “Thank you so much.”
The lighthearted exchange came at the end of a tense summit that concluded without a deal to end the war in Ukraine. Still, the brief show of English quickly went viral, reigniting global curiosity about Putin’s language skills.
Putin’s Secret Language Advantage
Though Putin mostly speaks through interpreters during official talks, the Kremlin has confirmed that he understands English “almost completely.” He is also fluent in German, a language he perfected while serving as a KGB officer in Dresden during the Cold War. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was known to converse with him in German during their private discussions.
Putin occasionally shows off his English in unexpected ways. Over the years, he has:
- Given interviews partly in English about conflicts like Georgia (2008).
- Delivered an on-camera statement in 2013 announcing Russia’s bid for the World Expo.
- Surprised a St. Petersburg charity gala by singing “Blueberry Hill” in English before Hollywood stars such as Kevin Costner and Goldie Hawn.
Trump’s Reaction
Putin’s invitation for another meeting in Moscow drew a playful response from Trump:
“Ooh, that’s an interesting one. I don’t know, I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening. Thank you very much, Vladimir.”
The exchange underscored the unique personal dynamic between the two leaders, even as larger questions about US-Russia relations and the Ukraine war remain unresolved.
Conclusion
Whether Putin’s English phrases were strategic or spontaneous, they reminded the world that the Russian leader is far more linguistically skilled than he often lets on. With the prospect of another Trump-Putin meeting in Moscow, all eyes will remain on their next diplomatic move.