When Ronnie Met Vlady: Reagan’s Unlikely Encounter with Putin as a KGB Agent

Independent Journal Review ^ | 3-6-14 | Kyle Becker

[afraidfortherepublic]

On a presidential visit to Russia, Ronald Reagan had an unlikely encounter with a KGB agent posing as a tourist: future Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured above with a camera around his neck).

Iconic Photos (via Tabitha Hale of Rare) has the backstory for the photo:

[afraidfortherepublic]

In May 1988, President Ronald Reagan travelled to Moscow for his 4th summit with Mikhail Gorbachev. The Soviets prepared a grand welcome; buildings across from the Kremlin were repainted, streets repaved and trees and flowers planted along the boulevards. [...]

The most telling incident was only revealed 20 years later. In the above photo, the man with the camera around his neck standing behind the boy was the current Russian Prime Minister (and former president) Vladimir Putin. He was pretending to be a tourist on his capacity as a KGB agent.

[goldstategop]

At the time, Vladimir Putin worked in the KGB’s Foreign Intelligence Directorate.

At the time he was stationed in the German Democratic Republic. Was he on home leave? More questions.

[sgtyork]

At least Putin got to see a real American President.

[OldNewYork]

Interesting. How was this confirmed as Putin? To my eyes, that may, or may not be him.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ah, the dreaded red X. I assure you that that picture showed up when I first posted it.

This one shows in the preview. We'll see if it stays posted.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ah, the dreaded red X. I assure you that that picture showed up when I first posted it.

This one shows in the preview. We'll see if it stays posted.

[goldstategop]

When you have a full head of hair, you look notably younger. Putin was 35 years old at the time the photo was taken. He was born October 7, 1952. Both Putin and me where born in the same month ten years apart. I’m ten years younger than him. :)

[afraidfortherepublic]

[goldstategop]

Seriously, I think Souza is wrong.

A mid-ranking KGB officer wouldn’t be brought back home to pose as a tourist.

The man looks nothing like Putin, who had thinner hair. They’re denying it in Moscow.

No one can really be certain who the mystery man in the photo might be.

And Putin was on assignment in Dresden in the late 1980s.

[A'elian' nation]

He looks more like the boy’s dad if you ask me.

[MuttTheHoople]

To be fair, I had thicker hair in 1988 (come to think of it, I HAD hair in 1988).

[McGruff]

Doesn’t look like Putin to me. The nose sticks out (pardon my pun) as not right.

[Steely Tom]

Doesn’t look like Putin to me. The nose sticks out (pardon my pun) as not right.

I agree. Here's a pic of Vlad when he was a kid. Nose of the camera guy doesn't look right to me at all.

[Bobalu]

I don’t think that’s Putin. The nose doesn’t seem right.

The guy is holding an old Russian Zenit camera....heavy as a brick those Zenits were.

[Bobalu]

[Bobalu]