Peskov: Russophobes work in Time

The press secretary of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov called Time journalists Russophobes and Putinophobes. So he commented in an interview with Kommersant FM. The cover of an American magazine, where a signature was posted next to Putin’s little photograph: "The incredibly decreasing Prime Minister of Russia. Vladimir Putin will become the president for a third term, but his power is weakened as ever before. And from this the whole world becomes a more dangerous place."

“It is possible to say with great confidence that the author of these words is a big Russophobe and Putinophobe. And at the same time, this phobia blocks his eyes and does not allow him to objectively evaluate reality. Despite this, we will continue this work, we will explain the actions that are being taken, we will be ready to explain everything to all those who need it. And we will also refrain from those who have no sense in this,” Peskov said.

This is the fourth appearance of Putin on the cover of Time. This first happened in November 2003 in connection with the arrest of the ex-head of Yukos Mikhail Khodorkovsky. On December 31, 2007, Putin became a man of the year according to Time and appeared on the cover with the heading: "Vladimir Putin. Tsar of the New Russia." The third time Putin’s black and white photo on the cover of the magazine was published last year with the inscription: "Putin's problem: he ruled Russia 12 years old, but the post-Soviet generation wants to know why life in the country has not improved."

In 2008, Vladimir Putin entered the list of 100 most influential people in the world according to Time. The article about him was written by US Secretary of State Madeline Albright. The title read: "The Russian leader with iron will revived his country as a great power."