Putin says US human rights law poisons Russia-US ties

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday a U.S. law punishing Russians accused of human rights violations was poisoning ties between Moscow and Washington.   

"This is very bad. This, of course, poisons our relationship," Putin told his annual news conference.   

He said a law that has won initial approval from Russian parliament in retaliation for the so-called Magnitsky Act was "appropriate". The draft, which would prevent Americans adopting Russian children, has angered liberals in Russia and requires Putin's signature to go into force.

When asked about suffering from health problems, Putin dismissed the talk saying that "such speculation served the interests of his political opponents.

On Georgia issue, Putin stressed that Russia will not back down on its decision to recognise Georgian breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia despite a recent parliamentary election that swept a new coalition to power.   

"Russia cannot change its decision related to its acknowledgement of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent, by definition we cannot do that," Putin said at an annual news conference when asked about his relationship with new Georgian authorities.   

Putin said he saw positive signals from the new Georgian government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili - a billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Russia.

REUTERS