Putin ridicules protesters during live TV session

PRIME MINISTER Vladimir Putin has mocked Russia’s anti-government protesters and suggested they are stooges of foreign powers, while insisting that he will not crack down on demonstrators unless they break the law.

Mr Putin used a live televised question-and-answer session to comment on this month’s parliamentary election, which saw his party’s winning majority fall dramatically and which were followed by the biggest protest rallies for 20 years in Moscow and other cities.

While defending Russians’ right to protest and claiming he was not offended by remarks aimed personally at him, Mr Putin insisted the election result was not affected by alleged vote-rigging and that foreign interference in his country’s affairs would not be tolerated.

“The result of the election undoubtedly reflects public opinion in the country,” Mr Putin told a studio audience and millions of people watching on national television.

“As for the fact that the ruling force, United Russia, lost some ground, there is also nothing unusual about this. Listen, we have gone through a very difficult period of crisis, and look at what is happening in other countries.”

The premier, who plans to return to the presidency in elections next March, said he was glad to see people protesting “if this is a result of the Putin regime”.

“The fact that people express their point of view is an absolutely normal thing, as long as they are within the law ... Lawful protests – yes; criticism of the authorities – yes. But it’s unacceptable to be drawn into a process of destabilisation managed from abroad.”

Mr Putin joked that the small white ribbons that protesters wore on their jackets resembled condoms and made them look like anti-Aids campaigners, and said he knew that “students were paid some money” to protest.

“Well, it’s good that they could earn something,” he quipped.

Having accused US officials of triggering the protests with criticism of the elections, he yesterday claimed that Washington was unhappy with Russia’s strength and independence. “The United States does not need allies, it needs vassals,” he said.

Former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov said Mr Putin’s comments showed he “still doesn’t understand what’s going on in the country and who are these people coming out into the streets”.

“He is continuing to use demagoguery and cynically denigrating the citizens, their rights and freedom,” said Mr Kasyanov, who is now an opposition leader.