时间:2026-02-21 19:14:47 来源:网络整理编辑:時尚
Teflon Putin, as the Russian president has been called for his ability to let accusations roll right
Teflon Putin, as the Russian president has been called for his ability to let accusations roll right off of him, was in pristine form on Thursday.
It's been five days since the Panama Papers, which some are calling the biggest leak in the history of journalism, uncovered evidence showing his close friends laundered money through elaborate offshore financial schemes, likely for his benefit.
SEE ALSO:#PanamaPapers breaks the Internet with revelations of global corruptionSpeaking for the first time since the revelations, which came with the leak of millions of confidential documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, Putin casually dismissed them, denying "any element of corruption."
Then he repeated a line pushed by Russian state media, as well as Wikileaks, that the papers are merely a U.S.-orchestrated disinformation campaign waged against Russia to weaken its government and force regime change.
"WikiLeaks has shown us that official people and official U.S. organs are behind this," Putin said.
Tweet may have been deleted
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, earlier this week said the papers "found out little new" and blamed "Putinphobia" for Western media's focus on the president.
Putin himself was not named in the Panama Papers, something he brought up. "Your humble servant was not there, but they don't talk about that," he said, referring to Western media.
The Kremlin has posted a transcript of the event with Putin's comments.
But the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) found the names of some of the Russian president's closest friends involved in offshore financial schemes.
One of them was Sergei Roldugin, a renowned Russian cellist and decades long friend of Putin's. Their friendship dates back to the 1970s, even before Putin's KGB days, when the two men used to cruise Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), get into street fights and play football together. Roldugin is also the godfather to Putin's daughter Maria.
SEE ALSO:Russian cellist named in Panama Papers is at the heart of a $2 billion scandalPutin said his longtime comrade, who was found in the Panama Papers to be the owner of $2 billion in offshore assets, has done nothing wrong.
"He is a minority shareholder in one of our companies and it makes some money, but it is certainly not billions of dollars. That's nonsense," the president said.
Sergei Roldugin is seen with President Vladimir Putin while visiting the St. Petersburg House of Music, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 21, 2009.Credit: DMITRY ASTAKHOV/AFP/Getty ImagesPutin said he was proud of Roldugin, adding that the musician spent his personal money to buy expensive musical instruments from abroad and bring them to Russia in order to advance the country's cultural projects.
"We always welcome when someone does something like this, but it goes even further," Putin said. "I am proud that I have such friends."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Sound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac Efron2026-02-21 18:56
John Cena has found his post2026-02-21 18:33
Tesla cars are getting a massive software update. Here's everything we know.2026-02-21 17:57
Tesla cars are getting a massive software update. Here's everything we know.2026-02-21 17:55
Plane makes emergency landing after engine rips apart during flight2026-02-21 17:49
How to how to find your K2026-02-21 17:45
Best Uber deal: Save $10 on a $100 Uber or Uber Eats gift card at Best Buy2026-02-21 17:12
Best delivery deal: Amazon Prime members are eligible for a year of free Grubhub+2026-02-21 16:58
Olympian celebrates by ordering an intimidating amount of McDonald's2026-02-21 16:51
Best Amazon deal: Score up to 80% off on Kindle books to celebrate World Book Day2026-02-21 16:35
U.S. government issues warning on McDonald's recalled wearable devices2026-02-21 19:07
IRS refund tracker: How to track your refund online2026-02-21 18:47
Best outdoor deal: The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is just $174.99 at Target.2026-02-21 18:18
'Late Night with the Devil's disturbing ending, explained2026-02-21 17:58
Two astronauts just installed a new parking spot on the International Space Station2026-02-21 17:46
NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 22026-02-21 17:33
How to how to find your K2026-02-21 16:57
Apple forced to pull Meta's WhatsApp, Threads from China’s App Store. Here’s why.2026-02-21 16:42
Tributes flow after death of former Singapore president S.R. Nathan2026-02-21 16:31
Amazon deals of the day: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, GE Profile nugget ice maker, and more2026-02-21 16:28