Russian President Vladimir Putin calls women weak

Paris: Russian President Vladimir Putin waded into US politics on Wednesday describing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and possible 2016 presidential candidate as “weak” in some sarcastic comments about women.

In an interview with French television, Mr Putin was asked about Ms Clinton's recent remarks that the Russian leader was trying to redraw the boundaries in eastern Europe just like Adolf Hitler did in the 1930s.

“It’s better not to argue with women,” he replied, adding, “But Mrs. Clinton has never been too graceful in her statements.”

Mr Putin remarked that he met Ms Clinton when she was the US top diplomat “and had cordial conversations. I think even in this case we could reach an agreement”.

But as he came under fire in the West for his aggressive policies in Ukraine and Moscow's annexation of Crimea, he did not hide that he found Clinton's Hitler-like comments extreme.

“When people push boundaries too far, it's not because they are strong but because they are weak,” said Mr Putin. “But maybe weakness is not the worst quality for a woman.”