Is Putin Now A Certified Gen Z? Russian President Drops 'Total Cringe, Chill Sesh' At Forum

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 20:09 IST

Vladimir Putin used Gen Z slang like total cringe and chill sesh at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin added an unusual twist to his visit to the 10th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), when he tried his hand at Russian Gen Z slang during an interaction with cadets. Vladimir Putin was in Vladivostok to pitch economic development in Russia’s Far East and highlight closer Asia-Pacific cooperation, following his recent trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

Alongside policy talks, he toured the newly opened branch of the National Center “Russia", an interactive showcase of the country’s culture, history and achievements.

During the tour, Vladimir Putin stopped at a language station where a young woman explained how neutral Russian phrases can be re-imagined in youth slang. She gave examples: “It might be an easy game" in standard speech becomes “It’ll be a chill sesh" in slang while “Guys, this problem is total absurdity" is recast as “Guys, these troubles are total cringe."

A video from the event shows Vladimir Putin smiling as he repeated the slang phrases- “total cringe" and “chill sesh"- drawing laughter from onlookers and cadets.

The light-hearted exchange quickly spread online, with clips of the Russian leader trying out Gen Z vocabulary making the rounds on social media.

The EEF, held September 4–5, is Russia’s premier investment showcase in the Far East, an event Moscow uses to attract Asian partners at a time when its ties with the West remain strained over the war in Ukraine.

News viral Is Putin Now A Certified Gen Z? Russian President Drops 'Total Cringe, Chill Sesh' At Forum

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