“I have gotten used to these types of labels, that it’s difficult to talk with a former KGB agent, and Medvedev will be free of this to demonstrate his liberal views,” Putin said. “But he is no less of a Russian nationalist – in a good way – than me. I don’t think that it will be easier for our parters [to deal] with him. He is a true patriot and he will assert Russian interests internationally in the most active way.”

Putin declined to answer questions about the whether Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of YUKOS who is now serving an eight-year sentence, would be pardoned. Blankly, he said, “In accordance with the formal procedure, when a convicted person petitions for a pardon, nothing stops the elected president from looking over the petition.”

Putin also expressed outrage at NATO’s continuing expansion, saying that he was getting the impression that the Western coalition was aspiring to replace the United Nations. Touching on Kosovo, Putin said that state’s independence posed a “damaging and dangerous precedent” for separatist movements worldwide.

For her part, Chancellor Merkel was hesitant to call Dmitri Medvedev a liberal, although she expressed hope that Russian-German cooperation would continue. “It’s clear that the future president intends to continue Russia’s current path,” she told Ekho Moskvy radio. “That means an open path.”

We note the pathetic quality of the authorities’ excuses for harassment. They don’t even bother to pretend it’s anything other than pure provocation. As we have documented here, the Kremlin has done everything possible to limit attendance at the Samara march, which is taking place at the same time as the EU-Russia summit in that city. A march that was officially approved by city officials! Official statements from Garry Kasparov and others will follow.

Update: It appears the international media won’t ignore Putin’s latest attempt to crush every shred of opposition. Will Western leaders stand up? From Spiegel Online:

Russian opposition leaders, including Garry Kasparov, were arrested Friday morning on their way to Samara to protest an EU-Russia summit. The Kremlin doesn’t want images of police beating up protestors to be beamed around the world. But Angela Merkel has lodged a protest of her own with Vladimir Putin.

From the Associated Press:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the European Union presidency, complained at the post-summit news conference that opposition activists were being prevented from traveling for the protest.

“I’m concerned about some people having problems in traveling here,” Merkel told reporters. “I hope they will be given an opportunity to express their opinion.”

Merkel’s remark came amid a sometimes fractious exchange between Putin and EU leaders at the news conference over Russia’s democratic freedoms and the government’s treatment of critics.

Putin said his government does not fear protests, but insisted that opponents of the government must abide by the law, and blamed some violence on demonstrators.

And what violence would that be, Mr. President? Other Russia is proud of our perfect record of non-violence in the Dissenters’ Marches. All of the violence has been on the part of the police — much of it very well documented in the press. We appreciate Chancellor Merkel taking notice of this crackdown, but it will take a lot more than hope for us to have a free voice in Russia. As long as EU leaders continue to pretend Putin is a democratic leader in a democratic country their continue “concern” isn’t worth a counterfeit ruble.