Putin warns that “destructive ideas” will ruin Russia, calls for “humanism, mercy” after Moscow attack

President Vladimir Putin said during his visit to the Tver region that nationalist ideas are worrying for a multi-cultural country like Russia. Putin was referring to a nationalist slogan, “Russia for Russians,” amid domestic outrage over a recent terror attack near Moscow. This slogan promotes the idea that the ethnic majority deserves more rights than other nationalities in the country. Putin warned that Russia is a multinational and multi-confessional state, and any violation of the rights of any citizen will only lead to the collapse of the country.