Feb 01, 2007News: Putin Speaks Publicly on Moscow Gay Pride
By vanrozenheim
(Moscow, Russia) - Russian President Vladimir Putin today made his first public statement on gay rights. It is said to be the first-ever such statement in Russian history. Speaking at a Kremlin press conference, President Putin was asked by Agence France Press if he agreed with the view of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov that gay parades were ‘Satanic’.
“I respect – and will respect – freedom of people in all their manifestations,” the President said.
But he added that he would not be drawn on “statements made by leaders of the regions”.
“My attitude to sexual minorities is simple,” he continued. “It is connected with my fulfilling of my official obligations.
“One of the main problems of the country is demographic,” he admitted.
