During the concert, held in St Petersburg’s Ice Palace, a presenter invited Mr Putin to come on stage and perform something for children suffering from cancer and eye disease. The Prime Minister played a popular tune on the piano and then joined a group of jazz musicians to sing a song in English. The appreciative audience thanked him with a standing ovation.

Many music and film stars of international renown came to St Petersburg to take part in that charity event. Sharon Stone, Kevin Costner, Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Mickey Rourke, Alain Delon, Ornella Muti and Gerard Depardieu were among the participants.