Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin sympathizes with motorists who face inconvenience from street closures that help the movement of his motorcade through the traffic-clogged city, but says nothing can be done about it.
"I regret and extend my apologies for the inconvenience," Putin said in an interview on the NTV television network. "I truly feel bad about it."
Sometimes, Putin said, he hears unhappy motorists honking their horns as his motorcade speeds past.
"Unfortunately, only on rare occasions can helicopters be used to get around in Moscow," he said.
When reminded that French President Francois Hollande stopped at all red lights as he rode to his inauguration, Putin said: "He's a good guy, but I don't engage in populism. There's work to be done."
IANS
First Published: Monday, October 08, 2012, 10:08