145;I146;m the only democrat146;

President Vladimir Putin has described himself as the world8217;s only 8220;pure8221; democrat and attacked the US and Europe, which have criticised him, for falling short of their own ideals. 8220;Of course I am an absolute democrat. But you know the problem?

It8217;s not even a problem, it8217;s a tragedy. The thing is that I am the only one, there just aren8217;t any others in the world,8221; he said. 8220;After the death of Mahatma Gandhi there8217;s nobody to talk to,8221; he added. Putin, nine months away from the end of his second term, also said the Russian presidency should have a longer period. 8220;Four years is a fairly short time,8221; Putin said. 8220;It seems to me that in today8217;s Russia, five, six or seven years would be acceptable, but the number of terms should be limited.8221;