The Kreml was highly appreciative of the Kyrgyz schoolboy s letter addressed to Vladimir Putin.

Writing directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a 7-year-old Kyrgyz boy named Rustam Tashmatov asked for an unusual Christmas (normally celebrated on January 7th because of the old Julian calendar) gift. In his letter, he told President Putin that he would like some Gazprom shares for the holidays or, if this is not possible, at least some Rosneft shares, which is Russia s biggest oil company. He also asked the president to send him „some from the famous Tula gingerbread”, which – he wrote – he has never tasted before. 

According to Rossotrudnichestvo (Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs), the Presidential Executive Office took Rustam s request rather seriously and Santa (Ded Moroz) delivered a gift package to the boy from the Kreml on 25 December. The package, presented during a celebration at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Bishkek, contained a loaf of traditional Tula gingerbread, a thermal mug and a photo of Vladimir Putin signed by the president. (The mug, a frequent gift to the press, is a sign of presidential courtesy). 

The executive office was appreciative of the Kyrgyz schoolboy s ambitions and wished him a successful political career. They expressed hope that Rustam would show the same interest towards Russia s oil and gas industries when he grows up.

It is not unusual for President Putin to send gifts to children. Last Christmas 12-year-old Jekatyerina Papanova from Obninsk received a specially trained golden retriever from the Russian presidential team.