This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6594379.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Putin attacks 'foreign meddlers' | Putin attacks 'foreign meddlers' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Foreign money is being used to meddle in Russia's internal politics, President Vladimir Putin has said. | Foreign money is being used to meddle in Russia's internal politics, President Vladimir Putin has said. |
| He blamed the "influx" on those who he said were using democracy as a pretext to interfere in politics. | |
| The Russian leader made the comments in his annual address to parliament, his opportunity to outline key policy objectives for the next year. | |
| In the past Russian authorities have accused the West of funding organisations that oppose Mr Putin. | |
| "There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said. | "There is a growing influx of foreign cash used to directly meddle in our domestic affairs," Mr Putin said. |
| "Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country," he said. "There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal affairs." | |
| He also paid tribute to late President Boris Yeltsin, who died on Monday, and called for a moment of silence to commemorate him. | |
| Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral. | Mr Putin's speech was delayed by a day because of Mr Yeltsin's state funeral. |
| The address is expected to be the Russian leader's last. He is due to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president. | The address is expected to be the Russian leader's last. He is due to step down in March 2008, after serving two terms as president. |