Russian President against "Making an icon of Putin"

Russian President Vladimir Putin is against "iconising" him. He said this at a news conference in the Kremlin on Monday, replying to a remark that in Russia, especially among the establishment, there is a "presidential cult". According to the journalist who asked the question, presidential portraits are featured even "on Easter eggs".

Putin replied that the president, along with the flag and the anthem, is a symbol of the state, but "not a personified one yet as post of highest authority." According to the Russian leader, "to some extent it can be agreed" that his portraits grace official desks. But, Putin stressed, "there should be measure in everything." In general, it depends on the cultural level of people, the Russian president believes.