Putin advises women on how to maintain their figures during International Women’s Day event

Russian leader praises women for being ‘beautiful, charismatic, charming’

Vladimir Putin delivers a speech on the occasion of International Women's Day (EPA)

Vladimir Putin marked International Women’s Day (IWD) by congratulating Russian women on managing work and the home, all while remaining “beautiful, charismatic [and] charming”.

IWD is a public holiday in Russia but mostly lauds gender roles that are now outdated.

The Russian president made the comments in a video posted on the Kremlin’s website.

“You manage to do everything: both at work and at home and at the same time you remain beautiful, charismatic, charming, the centre of gravity for the whole family, uniting it with your love,” he said.

“It is hard to imagine the history and development of our country without the contribution of the great Russian women.”

The Russian president also visited some female police officers at a training facility on the eve of IWD, during which he rode a horse that appeared not to obey its handler’s instructions.

During the event he suggested some ways women could “maintain” their figures.

“What does a young woman need to maintain her figure? Three things: a workout machine, a masseuse and a suitor,” he said.

According to The Moscow Times he also told the police officers that their presence on patrol saved some people “because those who wish to die by suicide look at you and want to live again”.

Additional reporting by agencies