Russian President Vladimir Putin takes off his jacket as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, after a supper with France's President Francois Hollande
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes off his jacket as he leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris, after a supper with France's President Francois Hollande June 5, 2014. Putin will be amongst 19 heads of state and government attending D-day anniversary ceremonies along the landing beaches of Normandy in northern France on June 6. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it would be "better not to argue with women" while speaking about former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Putin was being interviewed live on French TV. He was asked about what the probabilities of meeting Clinton on the occasion of the D-Day commemorations in France. The former first lady of the United States compared the Russian president with Adolf Hitler at a California fundraiser earlier in March. She said that his actions in connection with Ukraine were similar to what Hitler did in his prime.

The Independent reported that Putin had reacted to the comparison during the interview and said that "Ms Clinton has never been too graceful in her statements. Still, we always met afterwards and had cordial conversations at various international events. I think even in this case we could reach an agreement," he said. "When people push boundaries too far, it's not because they are strong but because they are weak. But maybe weakness is not the worst quality for a woman. It is better not to argue with women," Putin said.

The interviewer was apparently embarrassed by Putin's sexist comment. "Women must be respected, of course, and I'm sure you respect them," he told Putin. He asked Putin if he was angry about the comparison. "Someday I will indulge myself and we will laugh together at some good joke. But when I hear such extreme statements, to me it only means that they don't have any valid arguments," Putin said.

Putin also commented on U.S. policies. "Speaking of US policy, it's clear that the United States is pursuing the most aggressive and toughest policy to defend their own interests - at least this is how the American leaders see it - and they do it persistently," he said. He, however, said that he was "open to dialogue" with the U.S. president. "It is his choice," he said.

According to The Telegraph, Prince Charles too compared Putin with Hitler during a private conversation when he visited Canada.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au