A WWE spokesperson recently spoke to TheDailyBeast.com regarding Rusev and Lana praising Russian President Vladimir Putin on WWE programming:

"WWE programming, like Hollywood movies and television shows, is an exciting blend of action, characters and fictional storylines of good versus evil that are often inspired by pop culture and current events. Russian President Vladimir Putin has given us good material to work with to create strong characters in Rusev and Lana, who are perceived as either protagonists or antagonists depending on where in the world you are watching WWE programming."