President Vladimir Putin talks to visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

    BEIJING, June 14 -- Russia has rejected criticism of its democratic standards, but says it welcomes friendly criticism.

Russia has rejected criticism of its democratic standards, but says it welcomes friendly criticism. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    President Vladimir Putin said Monday after talks with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair that foriegn criticism is a tool for achieving foreign policy objectives.

    The president noted Moscow was aware of criticism regarding events in Chechnya. And he said Moscow was willing to discuss issues of democracy and human rights as part of the international situation.

    Putin also said Moscow backed Great Britain's initiative to write off the debts of the poorest African nations. But such measures should be taken in parallel with democratic processes in those countries.

    (Source: CCTV.com)