MOSCOW, December 15 (Itar-Tass) —— Prime Minister Vladimir Putin believes that insulting words regarding him, also those written on ballots, mean that people who wrote them would like to be back in Russia.
Putin was asked via the website Q&A session how he reacts to abusive words on ballots addressed to him even though he did not run in the election. A photograph of a ballot with taboo words written on it was presented as an example.
The premier said he had seen that photograph and the inscription on and was “amused and even gladdened”. “There is nothing new in that,” he said, explaining that he had heard and seen much of this kind during the war in the North Caucasus. “It were Western partners who exerted themselves the most” in this. “Just to think of the horrible caricatures l saw,” he said. “But l had no doubts that l acted right then and I have no doubts that l act right now,” Putin said.
As to that particular inscription, Putin said “it was made in London where people came to the embassy to vote.” “We know why they are there [in London] and why they refrain from returning to Russia,” Putin said. He expressed the certainty that “their urge to be abusive to me is motivated by the wish to return to Russia but being unable to do so while I am here.” “I take no offense,” he said, smiling. He noted it was he who invited them to go to the polls and praised those citizens for acting so.