Warm sweater for Putin as symbol of warm ties between Russia and Peru

LIMA, November 21. /TASS/. Julia Amelia Castro, a resident of Peru’s capital Lima, says she is happy that the Russian president has in the long run received the sweater her small firm knitted for him in a sign of warm relationship between Russia and Peru. "I am very happy and touched, as my dream has come true despite initial difficulties and inconveniences," she told Tass referring to the incident in which police detained her on Saturday as she was trying to hand the gift over to Putin, who was in Lima for an APEC summit. "I took interest in Russia long ago, as our countries boast more than 45 years of diplomatic relations. When the first Soviet ambassador came to Peru, several houses of Soviet-Peruvian friendship opened here. I was 17 at that time, and I started learning the Russian language," she said. "I myself designed the sweater that I presented to the president of Russia, I chose beige and brown colors and an ornament traditional for people living on the Andes mountains," the Peruvian woman told Tass. After Peruvian police officers detained Castro as she was trying to present the sweater to Putin, she admitted that the timing was wrong. "I possibly chose inappropriate time, as security measures had been stepped up because presidents were visiting Lima". The woman was set free after she explained all to police officers. Journalists from St. Petersburg-based Channel Five television found her and offered help. The sweater was handed over to the president during a news conference after the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit. Castro said representatives from Putin’s press service later got in touch with her to convey words of gratitude. "I am very touched that the president appreciated my move," she added. Read more