Russian President Vladimir Putin offered some decidedly 19th century reasons for avoiding a debate with Hillary Clinton.
“It’s better not to argue with women,” he said in an interview with Radio Europe 1 transcribed and posted to the Russian President’s official website on Wednesday.
Putin was asked how he might respond to Clinton’s recent comments comparing Russia’s intervention in Ukraine to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Europe. Clinton has since walked back the statement.
“When people push boundaries too far, it’s not because they are strong but because they are weak,” Putin said, “but maybe weakness is not the worst quality for a woman.”
To which the interviewer responded: “Women must be respected, of course, and I’m sure you respect them.”
Putin had no direct response.
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