Putin: Romney 'without a doubt mistaken' on Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney was "mistaken" in some of his tough rhetoric toward Moscow.

In an interview with Russia's RT television, Putin also warned a Republican victory in November could widen the rift between America and Russia over the anti-missile shield Americans are deploying in Europe, saying that under a Romney presidency, "the missile defense system will definitely be directed against Russia."

The Russian president added that his country would continue talks with Washington, but "protect itself and preserve the strategic balance" if the United States proceeded with the shield, according to Reuters.

But Putin said he remained hopeful he could settle the dispute with President Obama, whom the Russian leader said was "an honest person who really wants to change much for the better."

By contrast, Putin — who was just elected to another six-year term in May — was more critical of the president's Republican challenger. Romney made waves earlier this year when he called Russia "without question our No. 1 geopolitical foe" and promised "more backbone" in Russian foreign policy. 

"As for Mr. Romney's position, we understand that it is in part ... campaign rhetoric, but I think it is, of course, without a doubt mistaken," Putin said. "Because to conduct oneself like that in the international arena is the same as using the instruments of nationalism and segregation in the domestic politics of your own country."

They were the Russian president's first remarks publicly about the Republican nominee. 

Still, Putin said he'd be willing to work with whichever candidate prevailed in November.

"We'll work with whichever president is elected by the American people. But our effort will be only as efficient as our partners will want it to be," Putin said.

Putin also addressed the three-year sentence for punk band Pussy Riot, whose members were arrested following a "punk prayer" prank in a Russian cathedral. Putin defended the sentence and said he was not stifling the opposition.

"What is 'tightening the screws'?" he said. "If this means the demand that everyone, including representatives of the opposition, obey the law, then yes, this demand will be consistently implemented."

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