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Putin stresses leader’s authority should be judged by dedication, not firm handshake

Vladimir Putin believes that a leader’s power should not be judged by his handshake strength

© AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, pool

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. A political leader’s power should be judged by his commitment and not by the strength of his grip in a handshake, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual televised question and answer session dubbed The Direct Line.

"A leader’s power should not be judged by his handshake's strength, but by the approach to his work, the interests of his country and his people, as well as by his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities," Putin said when asked who among global leaders had the strongest handshake.

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