Putin would like to see Senator McCain at discussion club Valdai
VALDAI. Sept 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would welcome Senator John McCain's participation in the work of the discussion club in Valdai, adding that he believes the senator does not have enough information on the situation in Russia.
"The senator has his own outlook on things, but I think he still does not have enough information on our country," Putin said, responding to questions at the Valdai discussion club.
Putin recalled McCain's decision to have his article published on the Pravda.ru website.
"[The senator] wants to be published in what is currently the most authoritative and widespread publication. Pravda is a respected publication of the Communist Party, which is now opposes the current administration, but the level of its dissemination in the country is now minimal," Putin said.
The president said the senator wanted to convey his opinion to "the overwhelming majority" of Russians but his choice of that particular publication demonstrated that McCain simply had "poor knowledge of the country".
"By the way, I would have welcomed his presence at the Valdai Club meeting as well as his participation in the discussions," Putin said.
He also said that he knew that Russian top television channels had invited the senator to come to Moscow and take part in "open and fair debates."
"We have here the freedom of speech and openness. He is invited to present his opinion to the entire country and debate with his peers, policy experts, politicians, members of either the State Duma or the Federation Council," Putin said.
He also regretted that U.S. senators had refused to discuss Syria with their Russian colleagues.