In between taking questions on North Korea and Iran's military ambitions, Mr Putin was asked: "Why did he kiss the bare stomach of a boy in a Kremlin courtyard last week, a scene beamed around the world?" "He seemed to me very independent, very serious, but at the same time a boy is always vulnerable," he said. "He was very sweet. I'll be honest, I felt an urge to squeeze him like a kitten and that led to the gesture that I made."
