Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday dismissed the Panama Papers leak that linked his associates to more than $2 billion in offshore funds as just a shadowy U.S.-backed “provocation” of Russia.
“They must understand that the issue is not about specific people, individuals, no matter what position they hold in Russia,” Putin said in remarks reported by Reuters. “The issue is about the country, which cannot be manipulated.”
Putin also defended his friend, cellist Sergei Roldugin, who was named in the documents. The Kremlin had already dismissed the entire leak as merely an attempt to damage Putin and Russia’s credibility before upcoming parliamentary elections.
[Reuters]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com