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Putin says problem of sexual minorities is used as political instrument to attack Russia

The Russian official says he sees no infringement on gay rights in the country

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, September 29. /TASS/. The problem of sexual minorities in Russia has been deliberately made controversial to represent Russia as an enemy, President Vladimir Putin said.

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"The problem of sexual minorities in Russia has been deliberately made controversial. There is no such problem in Russia," told US journalist Charlie Rose in an interview with CBS and PBS.

"I do not see here any infringement on gay rights. I think that some people intentionally speculate about this issue to represent Russia as an enemy. It is one of political instruments to attack Russia," he added.

Commenting on the law banning gay propaganda among minors, Putin said there is nothing undemocratic about this legal act.

"Personally, I think that children should be left alone, they should be given an opportunity to grow up, to become aware of themselves and decide themselves who they are: men or women, if they want to have a traditional or homosexual marriage," he said. "I do not see here any infringement on gay rights."

"In Russia all people enjoy equal rights, including homosexuals," Putin said.

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