HE'S a hardman in world politics, a former Russian spy boss who is regularly pictured flexing his muscles while hunting or riding horses.

But tough guy Vladimir Putin showed he does have a softer side when his agricultural minister's ill-advised proposal reduced him to a fit of giggles.

4 The Russian agricultural minister reduced Vladimir Putin to a fit of giggles with his ill-advised plan to export pork to a Muslim country

4 ''Indonesia is a Muslim country — they don't eat pork,' said Putin as he began chuckling

The Russian President couldn't stop laughing when he heard Alexander Tkachev's plan to export pork to Indonesia where 225 million people are Muslims.

“Indonesia is a Muslim country — they don't eat pork," replied Putin.

The Times reported Mr Tkachev, 56, came up with the silly suggestion when praising Germany’s successful export of 3 million tonnes of the meat.

He said it went “mainly to China, Indonesia, some to Japan, Korea and so on" and said that Russia "needs to increase the volumes".

4 Putin started laughing again when the puzzled minister asked 'what's the difference'

4 The clip which has gone viral since being posted on Russian social media ends with Putin covering his face

After Putin rebuked him about Indonesia, a nervous Mr Takachev began looking at his notes, saying "oh really, er South Korea" before asking: "What's the difference?"

This caused Putin to burst out laughing again and cover his face with his hands.

After the exchange from a government meeting was picked up by Russian media, hundreds of thousands of people have viewed the clip.

Recently Putin was seen nuzzling a puppy given to him as a 65th birthday gift by Turkmenistan leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

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