Obama: Putin’s ‘shtick’ is to look like tough guy
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “shtick” is to look like the tough guy in Russia.
Obama says Putin has always treated him with the utmost respect. He says when he meets with Putin, there’s lots of humor and give and take. But Obama says that in public, Putin’s style is to sit back and look “a little bored” during joint interviews.
During Obama’s tenure, the U.S. and Russia have had disagreements over Syria, American fugitive Edward Snowden and human rights.
Obama made the comment in an interview with NBC News that’s set to air Friday. Excerpts of the interview are being released in advance.
The comments come a day before the opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics taking place in Sochi, Russia.