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Putin Accuses West of Double Standards

2004-12-24 1:13:04 CRIENGLISH.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at the West for double standards over Ukraine's elections.

Related Event: Ukrainian Political Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lashed out at the West for double standards over Ukraine's elections, accusing it of fomenting turmoil in Moscow's backyard.

Speaking at an annual press conference in the Kremlin, Putin said it was hypocritical for Western governments to criticize Russia for pursuing its interests in neighboring former Soviet republics.

The Russian leader said it was "complete nonsense" to accuse Moscow of trying to "devour" its smaller neighbors in the former Soviet sphere of influence, such as Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Putin warned that the so-called "orange revolution" led by Ukraine's West-leaning opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko risked plunging the region into "endless conflict."

Putin was referring to the controversy between Russia and Western countries over the disputed presidential election in Ukraine last month.

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