Russia is to become "a free and democratic state", but following its own rhythm and without foreign interference, Russian president Vladimir Putin has said.
Mr Putin praised the virtues of democracy, saying that, "present-day Russia prizes democratic values no less than economic success or people’s social welfare".
But he also replied to criticisms, recently voiced by the US, that his country has a "managed democracy".
"Russia is a country that has chosen democracy through t...
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