•  
•  
•  
•  
• e-mail 

257

View comments

In the run-up to Christmas, stationary shops across Russia are set to do a roaring trade in calendars featuring President Vladimir Putin.

One of these calendars has made it onto eBay, where British Russophiles can get their hands on a 12-month display of Putin in his element for just £17.99.

The 2018 Putin Calendar sees the President cuddle a kitten, go hunting topless and showing off his judo skills.

 

+6

 

Big softie: The cover image on this Vladimir Putin 2018 calendar shows him cuddling a Persian leopard - an image taken three years ago

Some months paint an image of Putin as the Kremlin Strongman, a portrayal which the President is said to thoroughly enjoy.

He is seen throwing an opponent to the floor on the judo mat, playing ice hockey, and joining a motorbike display by the Black Sea.

In others he appear more statesman-like; being saluted by a Kremlin guard or  inspecting a Russian Navy warship.

 

+6

 

The many sides of Putin: The calendar, available to Putin fans outside of Russia on eBay, appears to try to show the leader in as many different lights as possible

 

+6

 

Knight rider: One of the months is illustrated with this image of Putin during a motorbike display by the Black Sea

 

+6

 

Hands of Putin: President Putin is allowed to display both his judo skills and his statesmanship in this 2018 calendar

His 'softer' side comes out on the cover shot, where he is sat holding a young leopard.

Bizarrely, the 2018 calendar contains some of the images Putin used in the 2017 edition, and many pictures are from several years ago.

The cover show of him with the Persian leopard cub was taken in 2014 at Sochi National Park.

 

Moment Vladimir Putin is given an adorable puppy as a gift

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement 0:04

 

 

+6

 

Vlad the lad: The selection of images includes shots of Putin enjoying his free time: hunting topless and going fishing

 

+6

 

Put-in on the wall:  Russophiles can get their hands on a 12-month display of Putin for £17.99

It is not known if the calendar is sanctioned by Putin or the Kremlin.

Putin is currently in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where he has been holding meetings with the leaders of Iran and Turkey regarding peace in Syria.

Putin said Wednesday that efforts to end Syria's six-year war were entering 'a new stage' ahead of a planned meeting of Syrian government officials and opposition leaders.

The new talks should happen soon, Putin said after a summit with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, insisting that they would reinvigorate a hobbled peace process.