Putin Drawing 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Receives Huge Applause

A video in which Russian President Vladimir Putin draws a face has sparked much comment and mockery on social media.

The clip shows Putin being given a device and approaching a whiteboard at an exhibition. Russian Tass news agency reported that Putin was at an exhibition that showed the latest in touchscreen technology by the firm NexTouch.

Putin took the pen and drew a face followed by applause by those present. Social media users said the drawing looked like a famous cartoon character.

"Putin's been watching SpongeBob [SquarePants] hasn't he," journalist Alec Luhn tweeted.

Another journalist, Jason Corcoran, shared the clip, writing that the Russian leader was "doing his best to show its business as usual" following the mutiny against his authority staged by Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.

"Last night, it was selfies with an adoring public in Dagestan, and today, he's just made a 'Spongepants Bob' drawing at an exhibition," Corcoran added.

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with residents of Derbent during his working trip to Russia's Republic of Dagestan on June 28, 2023. Video of Putin drawing an image of SpongeBob SquarePants on a whiteboard has sparked comment. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/Getty Images
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