MOSCOW, March 26 (Itar-Tass) — Russian Prime Minister and president-elect Vladimir Putin has expressed readiness to conduct a dialogue with the opposition that brings constructive ideas, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Itogi magazine on Monday.
“Putin has always maintained a dialogue with the opposition that brings constructive ideas and uses constructive criticism,” he said. “Putin has always confirmed his readiness to speak with any opponents so that it was not the waste of time.”
“If to analyze carefully what has been said and done by Putin, then it becomes absolutely evident that he is no less liberal than many of those who are used to be called as such,” Peskov said.
“Of course, he is categorically against betraying the country’s interests. He will never be in company with those, who under liberalism see an opportunity to sell national interests. Putin is liberal not in words, but in deeds – in economy and other spheres,” Peskov said.
“The pressure of the opposition is positive for any authorities; this is an indicator of a healthy, politically active and fast changing society. This is what we are having now,” he said.