Russian President Vladimir Putin reunited with his former German language teacher Vera Dmitriyevna Gurevich during a special evening in Moscow this week. The Russian president warmly greeted his elderly teacher with a bouquet of flowers before embracing her in a heartfelt hug. His gesture drew attention online and the video of the incident went viral. Users on social media praised his emotional and human touch. Putin had invited his former teacher to attend the recently concluded Victory Day Parade. The video was shared by Kremlin.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-offers-to-take-iranian-uranium-again-says-no-evidence-of-tehran-striving-for-nuclear-weapons-1778377648824">Putin offers to take Iranian uranium again, says no evidence of Tehran 'striving for nuclear weapons'</a>&nbsp;According to the video, Putin spent time speaking with her privately and later took her out for dinner, reflecting on memories from his school years in what appeared to be a nostalgic reunion. In another notable gesture, the Russian president personally escorted and drove her straight to the Kremlin afterward, underlining the respect and gratitude he continues to hold for the woman who once taught him German during his childhood in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg.The rare public display offered a softer glimpse into Putin’s personal life amid global political tensions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/putin-issues-big-statement-on-russia-ukraine-war-after-calling-it-just-i-think-that-the-matter-trump-zelensky-victory-day-ceasefire-1778379105074">'I think that the matter...': Putin issues BIG statement on Russia-Ukraine war after calling it 'just'</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Vladimir Putin drives to Moscow hotel to personally receive his childhood school teacher, Vera Gurevich. The Russian president later escorted her to his residence for dinner. <a href="https://t.co/SKRWYTdzcE">pic.twitter.com/SKRWYTdzcE</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2054056782071509217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Born in 1952, Putin grew up in post-war Leningrad, experiencing what is often described as difficult and scrappy childhood. The Russian president is fluent in German, a skill acquired during his time as a KGB intelligence officer in Dresden, East Germany, from 1985 to 1990. He has demonstrated this proficiency in public, including a 2001 speech to the German Bundestag, and occasionally speaks German in meetings to discuss specific matters. Many years ago in 2005, a video of Putin reuniting with his former high school German teacher, Mina Yuditskaya-Berliner, during a state visit to Israel had also gone viral.

Putin reunited with his former German teacher in Moscow, greeting her with flowers and a warm hug before taking her out for dinner. The Russian president later personally escorted her to the Kremlin, showcasing a rare emotional and personal side amid global tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reunited with his former German language teacher Vera Dmitriyevna Gurevich during a special evening in Moscow this week. The Russian president warmly greeted his elderly teacher with a bouquet of flowers before embracing her in a heartfelt hug. His gesture drew attention online and the video of the incident went viral. Users on social media praised his emotional and human touch. Putin had invited his former teacher to attend the recently concluded Victory Day Parade. The video was shared by Kremlin. Also Read: Putin offers to take Iranian uranium again, says no evidence of Tehran 'striving for nuclear weapons' According to the video, Putin spent time speaking with her privately and later took her out for dinner, reflecting on memories from his school years in what appeared to be a nostalgic reunion. In another notable gesture, the Russian president personally escorted and drove her straight to the Kremlin afterward, underlining the respect and gratitude he continues to hold for the woman who once taught him German during his childhood in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. The rare public display offered a softer glimpse into Putin’s personal life amid global political tensions. Also Read: 'I think that the matter...': Putin issues BIG statement on Russia-Ukraine war after calling it 'just'

Putin reunited with his former German teacher in Moscow, greeting her with flowers and a warm hug before taking her out for dinner. The Russian president later personally escorted her to the Kremlin, showcasing a rare emotional and personal side amid global tensions.

Flowers, hug, dinner: Putin's rare gesture for his former German teacher goes VIRAL - VIDEO

The May 9 parade on Red Square marked 81st anniversary of Russia’s most sacred national holiday, honoring the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany and commemorating the 27 million Soviet citizens, including many Ukrainians, who died during World War II.

IN PICS | Russia holds scaled-down Victory Day parade on Red Square under tight security

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) defended Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in his address to the annual Victory Day parade. Describing his war goals as “just”, the Russian leader said that his country’s soldiers were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance. Speaking at the Red Square ceremony in Moscow, Putin also compared the current war with Ukraine to the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II.Victory Day celebrations have long been a major symbol of national pride in Russia, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. However, this year’s parade was noticeably smaller amid growing security concerns caused by repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was displayed during the parade, and attendance by foreign leaders was limited mostly to close Russian allies.“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said. “They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward.”“I firmly believe that our cause is just,” he added.<h2>Three-day ceasefire</h2>The Victory Day celebrations come after US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting today. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Moscow had threatened a “massive” strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the Victory Day celebrations.Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday (May 8) ordering the Ukrainian military not to attack the parade. He also confirmed that his government would adhere to the ceasefire and the prisoner swap of 1,000 detainees from each side.“Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said, referring to the historic site in Moscow where the annual event is held.

Russian President Putin defended Moscow’s war in Ukraine during Victory Day celebrations, calling it “just” and accusing NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (May 9) defended Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in his address to the annual Victory Day parade. Describing his war goals as “just”, the Russian leader said that his country’s soldiers were fighting an “aggressive force” backed by the entire NATO alliance. Speaking at the Red Square ceremony in Moscow, Putin also compared the current war with Ukraine to the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II. Victory Day celebrations have long been a major symbol of national pride in Russia, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. However, this year’s parade was noticeably smaller amid growing security concerns caused by repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks. For the first time in nearly two decades, no military hardware was displayed during the parade, and attendance by foreign leaders was limited mostly to close Russian allies. “The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today,” Putin said. “They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward.” “I firmly believe that our cause is just,” he added. Three-day ceasefire The Victory Day celebrations come after US President Donald Trump on Friday (May 8) announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine starting today. He added that the ceasefire will include a suspension of all fighting between the two nations and a prisoner swap. The US president also expressed hopes for ending the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, saying that negotiations are ongoing. Trump added that the temporary truce was announced following a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Moscow had threatened a “massive” strike on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted the Victory Day celebrations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree on Friday (May 8) ordering the Ukrainian military not to attack the parade. He also confirmed that his government would adhere to the ceasefire and the prisoner swap of 1,000 detainees from each side. “Red Square is less important to us than the lives of Ukrainian prisoners who can be returned home,” Zelensky said, referring to the historic site in Moscow where the annual event is held.

Russian President Putin defended Moscow’s war in Ukraine during Victory Day celebrations, calling it “just” and accusing NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia.

‘Aggressive force armed by NATO’: Putin calls Moscow’s war in Ukraine ‘just’ in Victory Day speech

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Flowers, hug, dinner: Putin's rare gesture for his former German teacher goes VIRAL - VIDEO

Russia holds scaled-down Victory Day parade on Red Square under tight security

Putin calls Moscow’s war in Ukraine ‘just’ in Victory Day speech