President George W. Bush said today he was concerned that recent decisions by Russian President Vladimir Putin could undermine democracy in Russia.
"As governments fight the enemies of democracy, they must uphold the principles of democracy," he said in a speech.
Putin's proposed political reforms would do away with elections by popular vote for governors in Russia's 89 regions.
Candidates would instead be selected by the president and approved by regional assemblies.
Mr Bush said he had recently spoken to Mr Putin to express his condolences about the deaths of more than 300 people in the Russian town of Beslan during a school hostage crisis that Russians have blamed on Chenen rebels.
"I'm also concerned about the decisions that are being made in Russia that could undermine democracy in Russia, that great countries, great democracies have a balance of power between central governments and local governments," he said.
He also noted a need for a balance of power "within central governments, between the executive branch and the legislative branch and the judicial branch."
