Maybe I'm wrong, but I kind of figured he was being ever so slightly sarcastic about that.
context is everything, and like so many MSM quotes thrown out for purposes of damaging someone (a pope, for example), we are given none. Was it sarcasm? Indirect denigration of Olmert? Is putin known to like or dislike the guy? etc.etc.etc.
Some world leaders have class and some don't.
"The bombing starts in 5 minutes."
Now that was a class statement from a world class leader.
Sorry to say that we don't have that type of class anymore.
Anywhere.