Russia"s powerful prime minister, Vladimir...
Putin spoke at a Kremlin session of the State Council, an advisory board of regional governors and top officials, where President Dmitry Medvedev urged earlier on Friday "a flexible multi-party system" to match the country"s bold modernization plans.
Echoing the president, Putin said Russia"s political system should be constantly updated, but cautioned against "the Ukrainianization of political life in Russia."
Putin said tilting toward totalitarianism and dictatorship is also dangerous.
Critics accuse Russia of backsliding on democracy and stifling freedom. Moscow denies the charges saying it seeks political stability, often pointing to ongoing political battles and economic difficulties in Ukraine as something it wants to avoid.
The premier, who heads the ruling United Russia party that dominates the federal and most regional legislatures, said an effective political system must contain a healthy portion of conservatism.