Putin hits back at G7 leaders' topless photo jibes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hit back at Western leaders who mocked his macho image this week, saying it would be "disgusting" to see them strip off, New York Post reported.

At a press conference during a visit to Turkmenistan, Putin suggested his counterparts needed to "cut out alcohol and do more sport".

Putin, who prizes his sporty image, has been pictured shirtless several times in photos released by Russian state media, including one set in which he rode a brown horse while wearing wrap-around sunglasses, a gold chain and army trousers.

"I don't know whether they wanted to strip down to the waist or below the waist, but I think that it would be a disgusting sight in any case," he said.

Asked about the comments of G7 leaders, Putin replied: Referencing the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, he added: "You can be a smart person and think about the beauty of your nails."

Read more: Putin rejects Johnson's claim a woman wouldn't have invaded Ukraine

He continued: "I certainly agree with this: everything in a person should be harmoniously developed, both soul and body.

"But in order for everything to be so harmonious, you need to give up alcohol abuse, other bad habits, work out, do sport".

"The colleagues you mentioned, I know all of them personally - we are not having the best period in our relations, this is understandable.

"But nevertheless, they are all leaders, which means they have character. And if they want, they will certainly achieve the desired progress.

"But you need to work on yourself. And the fact that they are talking about it is already good, I will praise them for this," he added.

Leaders of the Group of Seven wealthy nations had earlier mocked the macho image of their absent adversary Putin, at a meeting in Germany dominated by the Russian President's invasion of Ukraine.

As the besuited leaders sat down for their first meeting of the three-day G7 summit in the sweltering Bavarian Alps, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked if their jackets should come off - or if they should even disrobe further.

"We all have to show that we're tougher than Putin," Johnson said, to laughter from some of his colleagues.

Also read: Putin jokes about being blamed for all the world's woes

"Bare-chested horseback riding," shot back Canada's Justin Trudeau.

"Oh yes," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "Horseback riding is the best."

Putin was also asked about Johnson's remarks this week that the Russian president would not have invaded Ukraine if he were female.

Putin pointed to former British leader Margaret Thatcher's decision to send troops into the Falklands as a rebuttal of Johnson's theory.

Putin told reporters: "I just want to recall the events of recent history, when Margaret Thatcher decided to launch military operations against Argentina for the Falkland Islands. So, a woman took the decision to launch military action.

"Therefore it's not an entirely accurate reference from the British Prime Minister to what is happening today."

The Russian leader went on to criticise Britain's move, 40 years ago, to respond militarily to Argentina's attempt to seize the sparsely populated British-run islands in the South Atlantic.

"Where are the Falkland Islands and where is Britain?" Putin asked. "Thatcher's actions were dictated by nothing less than imperial ambitions and (a desire to) confirm their imperial status

Moscow repeatedly rails against Western military interventions in the likes of the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Iraq as examples of Western imperialism and hypocrisy.

(With additional input from Reuters)