Khodorkovsky Putin and the West conflict is artificial

Confrontation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the West is "artificial" nature, ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. It is reported by Reuters.

"The current confrontation with the West is absolutely artificial. Cooling relations inspired by that part of the Russian elite, who want to hold on to power,"- said Mikhail Khodorkovsky at a meeting of the Atlantic Council.

According to the former oil tycoon elite "in desperate need of an enemy image, which could distract the population from the corruption and inefficiency of the authorities' .Hodorkovsky: Putin and the West conflict it is artificial.

"Unfortunately, neither of which the approximation is not out of the question, as long as Putin remains in power," - said Khodorkovsky.

According to Khodorkovsky in Russia ", a system in which any decision can be suddenly changed at the whim of one man, which is not controlled by any political mechanisms."

However, Khodorkovsky said that "sooner or later" the power in Russia has changed, and the West should help Russia to quickly integrate into the EU and NATO.

glavcom.ua: In Russian