Russian President Vladimir Putin joked in a preview of a CBS interview released Thursday that maybe Americans talk about him so much because they have “nothing else to do.”
Putin, speaking in Russian, talked with CBS’ Charlie Rose for a “60 Minutes” segment in Moscow.
“You’re much talked about in America,” Rose told Putin. “There’s much conversation, more so than any.”
“Maybe they have nothing else to do in America but talk about me,” Putin said, laughing.
“No, no, no, or maybe they’re curious people?” Rose said. “Or maybe you’re an interesting character? Maybe that’s what it is,” noting that some have called him a “czar.”
Putin said the name didn’t fit him.
“It’s not important how I’m called, whether these are well-wishers, friends or political opponent,” he said. “It’s important what you think about you, what you must do for the interest of the country which has entrusted you with the position as the head of the Russian state.”
Putin also said that he admired America’s “creativity.”
Watch a full preview of the interview from CBS:
