Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves after a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto as part of the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
ARKHANGELSK, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Western criticism of how Russia had handled anti-government protesters at the weekend was a politically-motivated attempt to interfere in his country's domestic affairs.
Speaking at an Arctic forum in northern Russia, Putin, who is expected to seek a fourth presidential term next year, also said his political opponents were trying to channel public discontent about corruption for their own "mercenary" needs.
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