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Russia seeks talks following Prince Charles's remarks Prince Charles's Putin remarks outrageous - Russia
(about 4 hours later)
A Russian diplomat is to meet a Foreign Office official to discuss comments reportedly made by the Prince of Wales about President Vladimir Putin. The Russian embassy has said reported remarks by the Prince of Wales likening some Nazi actions to those of President Vladimir Putin are "outrageous".
Prince Charles is said to have likened some Nazi actions in Europe to Mr Putin's policies, during a conversation with a former Polish war refugee. Deputy ambassador Alexander Kramarenko is due to meet Foreign Office officials to ask for official clarification.
It is believed the Russian embassy has asked for clarification of the remarks. The alleged remarks were made during a conversation with a former Polish war refugee during a royal tour to Canada.
A Foreign Office spokesman said an official would meet Russia's deputy ambassador for talks on Thursday. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said "the remarks did the prince no credit, if he really said this".
He said it was better, as one British Labour politician had been quoted as saying, for royalty to be seen and not heard.
Nova Scotia museum
A spokesman for the Russian embassy in London said: "The Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy, Mr Alexander Kramarenko, will meet this afternoon the representatives of the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] to discuss a range of bilateral issues.
"The outrageous remarks made by Prince Charles in Canada will be among the questions raised. The embassy asked the FCO for official clarifications on that yesterday."
Prince Charles reportedly made the comments during a conversation with Marienne Ferguson at an immigration museum in Nova Scotia, Canada where she works.Prince Charles reportedly made the comments during a conversation with Marienne Ferguson at an immigration museum in Nova Scotia, Canada where she works.
They had been discussing Hitler's takeover of countries when Ms Ferguson said the prince remarked "something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing,'". They had been discussing Hitler's takeover of countries. Ms Ferguson said the prince remarked "something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing'".
The prince and the Russian president are both due to attend a D-Day anniversary event in France next month.The prince and the Russian president are both due to attend a D-Day anniversary event in France next month.
'Private conversation''Private conversation'
Clarence House would not comment on what it said was a private conversation.Clarence House would not comment on what it said was a private conversation.
"But we would like to stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation," it said."But we would like to stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation," it said.
President Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov told the BBC on Wednesday he was "not commenting right now" on the remarks.
On Monday, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Pier 21, Canada's national immigration museum in Halifax, during their four-day tour of the country.On Monday, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Pier 21, Canada's national immigration museum in Halifax, during their four-day tour of the country.
The prince chatted to museum volunteer Ms Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada shortly before the Nazi occupation.The prince chatted to museum volunteer Ms Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada shortly before the Nazi occupation.
The 78-year-old managed to escape to Canada along with her parents and two sisters, but other members of her family were sent to Nazi camps.The 78-year-old managed to escape to Canada along with her parents and two sisters, but other members of her family were sent to Nazi camps.
'Remarkably silent'
The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall, in Moscow, said Russian media had been "remarkably silent" on the issue.
But she said the fact the meeting was requested suggested "the Russians may have been more exercised than they are letting on".
She said this was an "indication of their possible dismay and annoyance".
"But so far Moscow has steered clear of turning this into a full-blown row that could further deepen the chill in relations," our correspondent added.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said he would not comment on a private conversation. His deputy, Nick Clegg, said the prince was "free to express himself".On Wednesday, Prime Minister David Cameron said he would not comment on a private conversation. His deputy, Nick Clegg, said the prince was "free to express himself".
Labour leader Ed Miliband said Prince Charles "has got a point", suggesting many Britons shared his concerns about Mr Putin's actions in Ukraine.Labour leader Ed Miliband said Prince Charles "has got a point", suggesting many Britons shared his concerns about Mr Putin's actions in Ukraine.