'Go ahead and pinch me!' Putin asks Nigerian student who couldn’t believe that the Russian president was standing in front of him

President Vladimir Putin made a surprise appearance at the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Black Sea resort, Sochi last Thursday.

An overwhelmed student identified as a Nigerian, Edostrey, couldn’t believe that the Russian president was really standing in front of him.

“I'm so overwhelmed. I can't believe I'm standing in front of the Russian president,” the Nigerian said. 

But Putin was quick to come up with a way of dispelling his doubts, telling the young man: “Go ahead and pinch me.”

Edostrey appeared reluctant to accept the offer, with the Russian president instead pinching the student himself, much to the amusement of the assembled crowd.