MOSCOW, December 20 (Itar-Tass) —— Putin disagrees with those who claim he has created an authoritarian regime in Russia. He made the statement in response to journalists' questions at a ness conference.

He recalled his decision to "retreat into the background after two presidential terms" and his refusal to change the Constitution for the sake of staying for a third term. However, "the one who thinks that democracy and law abidance are different things is very wrong."