MOSCOW, May 29. /TASS/. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a statesman and a sincere person at the same time, and his assassination came as a shock for everyone, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Abe’s widow Akie.

"I would like to say that, I’m sure, your husband’s death came as a shock for everyone who knew him," Putin said.

In his words, Abe was a statesman who knew when to be uncompromising and tough.

"But at the same time, he was a very sincere, very soft man whenever it was possible," the Russian president added.

Putin said they worked a lot together.

"On his initiative, a plan of cooperation in various areas was created. It included economy, industry, healthcare and culture - a broad range of areas for our cooperation," the Russian leader added.