Possibly the most sensible comment I've heard this week!

[Bookaboo]

Putin on the EU referendum:

"Mr Putin said he had an opinion on the matter but would not voice it because it is not "our business at all - it is the business of the people of the UK".

Would other world politicians please take note!

[MrsBlackthorn]

We live in a globalised world. The result of the referendum affects the economies of other countries, and people of other nationalities who live in the UK. So politicians of other countries have every right to say so.

Putin has previously supported Brexit, as indeed he would as Russia would benefit from a weakened EU.

[Appletreeblossom123]

I am sure Putin would welcome the UK leaving the EU. It is generally accepted by both Leavers and Remainers that the UK's departure would weaken the EU, and I am sure Putin is not keen on European power bases that don't include Russia. However, I am equally sure that Putin is intelligent enough to realise that a ringing endorsement for the Leave campaign from Vladimir Putin is unlikely to sway many undecided British voters to the Leave cause and might indeed cause some committed pro-Leave voters to pause for thought.

[tilder]

bookaboo am not sure what note you want other politicians to take. You want them to learn from Putin? To follow his example?

Interesting

[KittyandTeal]

Of all the people who had something sensible to say about the referendum I did not, for a second, think it would be Putin. Weird.

[Bookaboo]

You want them to learn from Putin? To follow his example?

Err, no. My post was about one comment he made and that perhaps it would be nice if more people around the world took the view that it's not their place to tell us what to do. Especially when they don't have our best interests at heart, as mrsblackthorn suggests.

Of all the dross that comes out of both sides on a daily basis, I was amused at the irony that he should be the one to say something that seems so diplomatic.

[Hassled]

But by saying it is "the business of the people of the UK", he's just reinforcing the whole "UK should stand alone/make its own laws/i.e. leave the EU" spiel. He's not being neutral or sensible at all - that comment is phrased perfectly to indicate that he thinks we should leave. He's no fool, Putin, whatever else he is.

Personally I have no issue with other countries weighing in with their views - we need to know what other people think and how it is perceived elsewhere.

[shinytorch2]

Hassled - how can you reach that conclusion. "It is the business of the people of the UK" means vote leave...what rubbish. Sounds to me like he's saying "It's none of my business"...

He's probably also seen how well interventions from Obama and Juncker have gone down with the electorate..!

PS - I'm no Putin fan

[eyebrowse]

Governments and other bodies around the world are very concerned about the effect of Brexit on the global economy and the general direction of the world.

If it would have no effect on them then there would be no need for them to comment

I'm not sure that expert opinion of people who have many years experience in modelling etc should be referred to as 'dross'

Putin is known for being a dictator and invading two countries. If I was to find myself on the same side as Putin I would think very carefully about my position.

[Hassled]

The whole Leave campaign is built around the premise that "it is the business of the UK" - that no other country/organisation should be involved in our laws or decisions. I see it as a reference to that. Putin's saying "I'm not passing comment because the UK should decide things for themselves" - and I don't think he means by a democratic referendum, I think he means we should always decide all things for ourselves - i.e. leave the EU. I don't personally agree - I'm a Remainer - and I'm very possibly wrong. I wouldn't trust Putin to make a neutral comment about toast, though.

[claig]

Hassled, all Putin is saying is he doesn't want to interfere in a democratic election that he has nothing to do with. He says he has an opinion but he won't say what it is because it has got nothing to do with him what the British people choose to do.

He said a similar thing when asked about the US election candidates.

[bridgetoc]

Putin said exactly the right thing. I almost feel sorry for the remainers, because their desperaration increases with each day.

[HopeArden]

Massive leaps being made here to claim that his comment which directly says it is not his business, but that of the people of the UK is the same as telling us to leave . Sometimes I think I am reading a different language to some other people on MN!

Much prefer this approach than Obama's, where he is invited over by his buddy Cameron to threaten us. Everybody who is not a citizen of this country should stfu and leave us to decide for ourselves.

[bridgetoc]

Indeed HopeArden........ What was it our 'special relationship friend' Obama said........ "Britain will have to go to the back of the cue." A clear threat, and the first of many from Cameron and his big banking cronies. It has not worked though, in fact, it has been a disaster! Only cowards and gullible people will vote remain.

[tilder]

To suggest that a comment by Putin has no political intent is a little naive. Everything he does is political.

He wants the UK to leave. He knows that to say so would not be helpful to the leave campaign. So he makes an ostensibly neutral comment.

As hassled said, I wouldn't trust Putin to make a neutral comment about toast.

[alltouchedout]

Ahhhhh yes, Putin, that entirely reasonable poster boy for neutrality and respecting the rights to self determination of other states

[tilder]

Am also not clear why it is the remains who are desperate.

AFAIK the vast majority of global leaders have come out to say Brexit is a bad idea.

But oh look say the Brexiters! Putin that desirable, sensible ally who has our best interests at heart has come out with an ostensibly neutral comment! Let's applaud his stance!!

Yes, not desperate to find international validation for Brexit at all

[HopeArden]

He is not validating Brexit though - he is saying he has a view but isn't sharing it because it is our business and not his. It doesn't actually matter to me what his view is or his motivation, only that he has refrained from saying. Wish everyone else would take the same stance tbh.

[dizzyfucker]

Translate that to mean, I don't give a shit what happens to Britain but I know where I stand on what would benefit Russia and I don't want to sway the voters away from that possible outcome.

I don't see what difference it makes to Joe Public if political world leaders state their opinions or not. Even if he made a comment it would be from the point of view of what benefits Russia, just as every other leader has stated it from their own beneficial viewpoint.

None of them give a shit about what benefits the British people. People need to make their minds up based on what's being discussed in Britain by British politicians.

[tilder]

Yes, they have their own countries best interests at heart.

For most, a strong, fiscally sound UK is probably more appealing than a weak, fiscally fragile country.

Hence the stance of the majority.

Apart from Russia.