In Rare Split, Two Leaders in Russia Differ on Libya
By CLIFFORD J. LEVY and THOM SHANKER
Published: March 21, 2011
MOSCOW The conflict in Libya caused an unusual rift on Monday between
Russias two leaders, Prime Minister
Vladimir V. Putin and his protégé, President
Dmitri A. Medvedev, who typically choreograph their statements and refrain from criticizing each other.
Dmitry Astakhov/RIA Novosti Kremlin, via Associated Press
Dmitri A. Medvedev said words like crusade, used by Vladimir V. Putin, were unacceptable when discussing the Libya airstrikes.
Denis Sinyakov/Reuters
Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.
Mr. Putin appeared to displease Mr. Medvedev on Monday by harshly assailing the airstrikes by coalition forces in Libya. Mr. Putin said the
United Nations Security Council resolution that authorized the attacks was deficient and flawed.
Russia abstained from voting on the resolution last week, deciding not to use a veto to block it.
In general, it reminds me of a medieval call for a crusade, Mr. Putin said.
Mr. Putin is widely considered Russias paramount leader, but Mr. Medvedev, as president, is in charge of foreign policy. Later in the day, Mr. Medvedev called a news conference
where he pointedly rejected Mr. Putins language, though he did not mention Mr. Putin by name
Under no circumstances is it acceptable to use expressions that essentially lead to a clash of civilizations such as crusade and so on, said Mr. Medvedev, who spoke to reporters while wearing a bomber jacket with the presidential seal.
It is unacceptable, Mr. Medvedev said. Otherwise, everything may end up much worse compared to whats going on now. Everyone should remember that.
The apparent tension between the two men set off speculation about whether they were starting to jockey for attention in advance of presidential elections next year. Both have said that they are considering running, though they have emphasized that they would decide together who would be the candidate and not compete against each other.
Mr. Medvedev referred more positively to the
United Nations resolution, saying that it was important to remember that the Libyan leadership had committed crimes against the Libyan people.
Mr. Putin did not offer any response to Mr. Medvedev, and it was unclear Monday night how serious the schism was.
Mr. Putin served two terms as president but was barred by the Constitution from a third consecutive term. He then anointed Mr. Medvedev, a close aide, as
his successor in the 2008 election.
The focus on Mr. Putin and Mr. Medvedev on Monday overshadowed a visit to Russia by Defense Secretary
Robert M. Gates, who was in St. Petersburg before heading to Moscow for meetings with Mr. Medvedev and other senior Russian officials.
In St. Petersburg, Mr. Gates addressed the next generation of Russias military leadership midcareer naval officers and urged them to work with multilateral coalitions to achieve common security objectives.