Russian President Vladimir Putin said he knew Femen women's organization activists had planned to conduct a protest at the Hannover fair, and that he had liked it.

"As for the protest, I liked it. Generally, we knew about it - we knew such a protest was planned. You should thank the Ukrainian girls for helping you advertise the fair," Putin said at a press conference in Hannover.

Putin went on to say that people would be less interested in the annual Hannover fair without such protests.

"Honestly, I didn't hear what they were shouting as the security guards were very tough. Such big men jumped on the girls. It seems to me that was wrong - they could've been treated more gently," Putin said.

There is nothing new in the protests organized by Femen, Putin said.

"We are all used to these protests, and I don't see anything horrible here," he said.

At the same time, Putin said he doubts that such protests could have political goals.

"If someone wants to debate political issues, it's better to be dressed when you do it, not take your clothes off. One should take their clothes off in other places," Putin said.

According to earlier reports, activists from the Ukrainian movement Femen conducted a protest at the industrial exhibit in Hanover while German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin were visiting it.

When Putin and Merkel were standing near the Volkswagen exhibit, several girls, who were among the numerous journalists, broke the cordon, took off their tops, and began shouting obscene slogans in English. The words they were shouting were also painted on their bodies. The girls were detained by security guards.

The girls continued shouting the slogans, but Putin and Merkel walked to the next hall, ignoring them.