Vladimir Putin vows to end police repression in Russia Putin has been repeatedly lambasted by critics during his previous two terms in the Kremlin and current stint as prime minister for allowing the security forces Soviet-style powers to control society. "We will ensure the accountability of the authorities towards the society that they are working for," Putin said, proposing "effective government under the control of the people." He said the widespread practice in Russia of keeping suspects in pretrial detention should be reduced and as well as the use of jail sentences for less significant crimes. But in a stern warning to the West, Putin also vowed that world powers would not be able to make decisions "behind the back of Russia or avoiding Russia and her interests." "Unilateral actions by our partners that fail to take into account Russia's opinion and her interests will receive a corresponding response," Putin wrote. He promised to create "strong Russia in a complex world." The presidential elections are now seen by analysts as a far tougher challenge for Putin than before the rallies that brought together tens of thousands of people in Moscow breaking the taboo against mass protest in Russia. He is still widely expected to win the presidential elections but opinion polls have predicted he may, for the first time in his career, need a second round.