Russian President Vladimir Putin is among those few world leaders who value and preserve personal friendship, said former Italian Foreign Minister and former European Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini as part of the RIA Novosti project dedicated to Putin’s 20th anniversary.
The project includes a series of interviews with Russian and foreign politicians, public figures and athletes who have known Putin for many years.
“He is one of those few leaders on the international arena who appreciate and maintain personal friendship”, – said the famous politician, answering a question about the human qualities of the Russian president.
According to Frattini, he felt it when, not being the head of the Foreign Ministry, he learned about the awarding of the Russian Order of Friendship.
“I must say, this attitude towards friends is typical for your country in general. But it does not guarantee that the head of state will behave this way”, – said the source of the agency.