Did Vladimir Putin steal Robert Kraft's Super Bowl Ring? Spokesman says 'nyet'

Russian president Vladimir Putin is denying through a spokesman that he stole New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's Super Bowl ring during a 2005 meeting, according to a report.

Kraft was quoted by the New York Post last week as saying Putin pocketed Kraft's $25,000 diamond-encrusted ring during the meeting in St. Petersburg.

This is what Kraft said about the incident, according the Post: "I took out the ring and showed it to (Putin). And he put it on and he goes, 'I can kill someone with this ring.' I put my hand out and he put it in his pocket, and three KGB guys got around him and walked out."

Now, in a CNN article, Putin's spokesman has called Kraft's comments "weird" and said Kraft gave the ring to Putin as a gift.

The AP photograph to the left shows Putin holding Kraft's ring during a meeting with American business executives on June 25, 2005.

The Putin spokesman said the Super Bowl ring resides in the Kremlin's library along with all other gifts to the state.