President Dmitry Medvedev was sometimes late for his lessons and his parents were even summoned to his school several times for a talk with his teacher. That’s what Medvedev confessed whilst answering questions of visitors to the ‘President to Russian sch

Satisfying children’s curiosity, the president also said that it ‘happened’ that he fought in his school years, which he spent in St. Petersburg.  

However, Medvedev was an ‘excellent pupil’ at primary school and ‘generally’ studied well later. His favourite subject was Chemistry, but he also enjoyed Russian and Maths.

“As for what subject I didn’t like – I won’t tell you. Because then you’ll stop studying. You’ll say, ‘See? He didn’t study and has become President,” Medvedev said.

Medvedev used to spend his free time “walking and reading, reading and walking”. “And then started doing sports.”

Speaking of his family life, the Russian leader said he got married when he was 28.  Now his wife, Svetlana Medvedeva, is busy looking after the house, their 12-year-old son Ilya and sometimes helping her husband.

Small website visitors also wanted to know if the president punishes his son for bad grades.

“No. I am a humanist-parent. I give him sweets for bad grades. Of course, I’m kidding,” Medvedev answered.

As for pets, he’s got a ‘moggy’. “He’s fat. He’s called Dorophey”.

When going on holiday, Medvedev prefers traveling to different places of “our large country” and takes his family with him whenever it is possible.

The president says he doesn’t have a private car, but uses an official vehicle with guards. “It is fitting. But it would be so cool to run away somewhere,” he added.

As for what Medvedev would do after he stops being President, he said he hasn’t quite thought that out yet, but, for starters, would have a decent rest.  

The “President to Russian schoolchildren” website was officially launched in January. The idea is explain the young citizens what the institute of democratic presidency is, tell about the country’s symbols and answer various questions about the President.