Putin Publicly Admits He Doesn't Govern Russia

The Kremlin chief agreed with the German-born field marshal's assertion.

On March 6, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the so-called World Youth Festival.

During his dialogue with the participants Putin quoted a statement attributed to Field Marshal Minich, who lived in the 18th century:

"Russia is such a country that is directly governed by God. Because if it is not, it is incomprehensible how it exists at all."

TASS quoted Putin's response: "In the first part I agree. As for the second part, my experience in the position I am in today suggests that Russia exists thanks to the Russian and other peoples inhabiting this territory."

Politsovet stressed that according to one version, this phrase was said not by Field Marshal Burkhard Christoph Minich himself, but by his son Johann, the chief director of customs duties of the Russian Empire.