Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the British government has been far too self confident in connection with the EU referendum.
Putin has little time for the referendum which Prime Minister David Cameron decided to hold, and which ended with Britain leaving the EU.
He believes that it is an expression of both overconfidence and a superficial approach to what he calls a fateful decision for the UK and Europe.
– It will have consequences for Britain, for Europe and for us, Putin says in a statement to Russian television.
Many observers believe that a brexit could be exploited by Putin since they think he wants to sow discord between the EU countries.
But Putin argues that Russia has never intervened in or expressed any opinion of this matter.
– Of course we have followed closely what happens, but we have in no way affected the process and we have not tried to do so, he says
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today