Moscow, April 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has taken up ice skating in a bid to boost the sport in the country.

In February, Putin had promised to learn how to skate. In mid-April, he showed his skill at an informal game of ice-hockey between young players from provincial teams of Russia.

Speaking at a ministerial conference on healthy lifestyles and non-communicable diseases, Putin said his recently acquired hobby was a call to changes, showing that ‘there are not any inaccessible limits’.

According to a survey by Russia’s Public Opinion Fund held in mid-April, there was a dramatic rise in people’s confidence level in their rulers.

A total of 53 percent of those polled trust Putin, while 46 percent support President Dmitry Medvedev.