Russia's Medvedev meets critics, defends democracy

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Dmitry Medvedev used an interview with a Russian opposition newspaper published on Wednesday to chide the trade-off between prosperity and freedom which critics say was the hallmark of Vladimir Putin's rule.

The relationship between Russia's two leaders is under scrutiny by investors and diplomats after speculation the allies could be drifting apart as they grapple with a deepening economic crisis.