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Understanding the Kremlin: it’s the words, stupid | Angus Roxburgh

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Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin have both had their moments of mistranslation – and sadly, teaching of the Russian language is dwindling in the UK

It is notoriously difficult to understand Vladimir Putin. When he says: “We have no troops in Crimea”, it turns out that he actually means: “I personally ordered the annexation of Crimea.” When he says: “Russia is bombing Isis”, he means: “Russia is bombing anyone who is trying to unseat President Assad.”

Related: He called the US a wolf – now it is Putin who’s on the prowl – Natalie Nougayrède

Related: Think Vladimir Putin looks like a Bond villain? It’s more serious than that | Jonathan Jones

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