ROME, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday vowed to fight corruption and establish order in his country at a summit with European Union members in Rome.
Controversy has erupted in Russia over the arrest of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on fraud charges. Critics have suggested the arrest was political.
But Putin assured European leaders the arrest was the result of a "consistent and tough" crackdown on corruption -- no matter who the perpetrators are, the BBC reported.
"Our aim is not to go after specific individuals but to establish order in our country," he said.
European Commission President Romano Prodi said he was reassured by Putin's words.
"I know President Putin well enough to be myself the guarantor of his precise knowledge of the distinction of the separation between the executive and the judiciary power," Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said.
"I'm acting as President Putin's defense lawyer here, even though he hasn't asked me to."
