Russian Prime Minister and leader of the ruling United Russia party Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he was ready for dialogue with the opposition, including his rivals at the presidential polls, RIA Novosti reports.
Asked whether he would speak with Russian opposition politicians, including those who will run against him for presidency in the March elections, Putin said that “dialogue should be held, but in which form I will think about.”
“It has nothing to do with fear…The opposition is not overloaded with any particular work, it is always demanding the impossible and then, as a rule, does nothing to fulfill it,” Putin said.
His comments came amid ongoing public protests against allegedly rigged parliamentary polls held on December 4 which brought Putin’s ruling United Russia party a majority in the lower house of parliament.
Former Russian prime minister, leader of the opposition People's Freedom Party Mikhail Kasyanov said he welcomed Putin's initiative and was ready for talks with the authoprities.
Previously former finanse minister Alexey Kudrin said he was ready to serve as mediator during such talks. Kudrin's proposition was also welcomed by Kasyanov.
Putin wants dialogue with opposition
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