MOSCOW — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin worked Thursday to soften his authoritarian image, hinting at self-governing concessions, but he also pushed back at protesters who have rocked the country in recent weeks, saying they had been paid to show up.
Using a televised question-and-answer session, Putin, in his first full-scale response to demonstrations after disputed parliamentary elections this month, portrayed himself as tough but reasonable, agreeing that not all was perfect in the country he has led for 12 years.
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