Vladimir Putin serenades China with Soviet-era songs

While waiting to meet China's president Russian President Vladimir Putin has tickled the ivories, playing some Soviet-era piano hits.

Russian President Vladimir Putin plays piano before his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin plays piano before his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping Source: AAP

Russian President Vladimir Putin, known for his passion for the outdoors, showed off his softer side during a visit to China when he sat down to play the piano

Putin is in Beijing on a state visit to discuss a $US1 trillion ($1.4 trillion) infrastructure plan that strives to revive the ancient Silk Road.

After speaking at the summit on Sunday morning, Putin headed to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at his residence.
Putin is habitually late for meetings, but this time he was the one who was made to wait, Russian news agencies said.

So, Putin played some songs on Xi's piano. Russian state television showed excerpts of at least two tunes he played - Moscow Windows and City on the Free Neva - both Soviet classics.

Putin has demonstrated his music talents before. In 2010, he took the stage at a charity concert with a jazz band to play and sing Blueberry Hills.

But in recent years, Putin - occupied with the annexation of Crimea, the crisis in eastern Ukraine and Russia's role in Syria - preferred to demonstrate his virile side in Kremlin-distributed pictures of him hunting and fishing.


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Source: AAP


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Vladimir Putin serenades China with Soviet-era songs | SBS News