Vladimir Putin scolds Russian spy chief for stuttering during Ukraine crisis briefing

Russian President Vladimir Putin scolded Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia‘s Foreign Intelligence Service, for his stuttering during a televised security briefing on acknowledging two breakaway areas in Ukraine. He said, “Speak directly.”

When Putin repeatedly questioned Naryshkin on his support for the decision to recognise two Kremlin-backed separatist regions in Ukraine as separate republics, he stumbled over his comments.

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Putin is heard asking Naryshkin in a viral video from the meeting on Tuesday to “Speak plainly,” he said several times, and he talked over him.

“I will support the proposal to recognise…” stated the intelligence head before being stopped by Putin: “I will support?” Or I support?”

When Naryshkin tried to rectify himself and say he supported the initiative, Putin replied: “Then say it like that. Speak directly. No, or yes.”

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The humiliation, however, did not end there.

“I support the proposal about the entry of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics into the Russian Federation,” visibly rattled Naryshkin clarified.

Putin smirked at the blunder. “That [assimilation of the two regions into Russia] is not being discussed. We’re talking about recognising their independence or not.”

Naryshkin agreed cautiously, then added, “I support the proposal to acknowledge their independence.”

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Putin, still smiling, thanked the spy head and instructed him to sit down, according to a BBC translation.

The proposal was approved, and Putin signed a proclamation recognising the two territories’ independence, a move harshly opposed by the rest of the world.

Russia has now sent ‘peacekeeping’ soldiers into the two pro-Moscow areas, prompting US President Joe Biden and the European Union to impose harsh sanctions.