Putin dismisses claims Russia is behind European unrest

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that accusations against his country of being behind unrest in Europe reflect the weakness of European leaders and their inability to take responsibility for what is happening.

Putin added, in remarks reported by Russia Today, that blaming Russia for Europe's unrest is "exaggerated," noting that European leaders do not analyze the causes of these events but simply "shift the blame onto others."

The Russian president also said he was surprised by accusations from the United States of involvement in the protests in Europe, stating he did not expect Europe to accuse its main ally in this way. He pointed out that European politicians quickly reversed this stance and returned to their usual accusations against Russia.

Putin remarked that there is nothing surprising about the accusations directed at Russia, saying: "Moscow is used to being blamed for all sins and wrongdoings."

Putin's comments come amid a wave of protests in France that began in mid-May, when students in the suburbs of Paris took to the streets demanding better school conditions. They were later joined by demonstrators protesting rising prices, and the unrest has since spread to other regions and countries.