Putin slated for 'crusade' remarks

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev openly criticised Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Monday by saying Putin's description of military intervention in Libya as a "medieval crusade" was "unacceptable".

By News Wires (text)

REUTERS - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday using the term crusades to refer to the situation in Libya was "unacceptable", appearing to publicly criticise the country's paramount leader Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev spoke just hours after Putin likened the United Nations Security Council resolution authorising military intervention in Libya to "medieval calls for crusades".

"In no way is it acceptable to use expressions that in essence lead to a clash of civilisations, such as crusades and so forth -- this is unacceptable," Medvedev told reporters at his residence outside of Moscow.

"Otherwise everything may end up far worse," he added.

Russia abstained in the U.N. Security Council vote on the resolution on Thursday. Putin said earlier on Monday that the resolution was "defective and flawed, and added: "It resembles medieval calls for crusades."

After eight years as president, Putin faced a constitutional bar on a third consecutive term in 2008, and steered junior partner Medvedev into the Kremlin.

The pair say they run the country as a tandem.

Putin, seen as Russia's key decision-maker, has hinted he will either seek to return to the presidency in a March 2012 vote or endorse Medvedev for a new term.

Medvedev also said Russia would not participate in any military coalition in Libya but was ready to take part in peacekeeping operations.

LIBYA

Backtracking on Libya: the Arab world breaks ranks

Date created : 21/03/2011

Comments (5)

Pro-Western Medvedev

by Anonyme (not verified) - 23/03/2011 - 00:13

The U.S. got themselves a great ally in Mr.Medvedev... Here we go again, pro-Western President and mostly anti-Western public. The U.S. want to overthrow Qaddafi, Mr. Medvedev helps them to achieve this. So much for the "multipolar world"...

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UN/US/EU Hypocritical Facade

by Norm (not verified) - 22/03/2011 - 16:34

Putin is right, this indiscriminate aggression by the US/EU/UN, etc. "Clang" against sovereign countries, regardless of their religion/beliefs, in the name of "Humanitarian Pretext", should be stoppped. If we want to evaluate "Humanitarian Violations", just look at Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and a few Statesmen should destined to the The Hague Courts for massive slaughter of humanity.

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Flaw

by Rui Livramento (not verified) - 22/03/2011 - 10:24

May I know how does the two last paragraphs link up? It is regretable to read gossip-news in a site such as this.

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re opposition to strikes in Libya/putin

by Anonyme (not verified) - 22/03/2011 - 09:27

Mr Putin
1) You only cricize but did you come with any solutions or suggestions to Gaddafi air strikes on Libyan civilians?
2) expect better from a prime minister its easy to critize but where are your solutions?
below is for other countries who abstaned the UN resolution and opposing strikes to enforce non flight zone
3) are you Countries going to lose some good business if Gaddafi goes????
4) to those opposing the air strikes on Libya Rusia, germany china etc now even the Arab Legue to enforce non flight zone! Can any one come out with suggestions on how to enforce a non flight zone to stop Gaddafi masacre?
easy to critisize but no one offered better solutions or did they prefer to let the Gaddaffi masacre go on being in their political and financial interest!

Live and let live