Vladimir Putin says no to TV presidential debates

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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will not take part in TV debates with rival candidates ahead of the March 4 presidential elections, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Putin has never come face-to-face with his opponents in live debates.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said a commitment to take part would stop Putin "carrying out in full his duties as prime minister".

Putin served two terms as president between 2000 and 2008, but was barred from standing for a third consecutive term by the constitution. He became prime minister after his handpicked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, became the president.

Opposition journalist Vladimir Varfolomeyev has accused Putin of being a "coward".

While Putin is widely expected to secure the presidency in March vote, he is facing an unprecedented crisis of popularity. Analysts say it is no longer certain he will triumph in the first round of voting.

After his annual televised phone-in held in December, Putin said it would not be a "discussion on equal grounds" if he personally took part in debates.

Putin's party, United Russia, took part in debates for the first time ahead of the December parliamentary polls. The elections were marred by allegations of vote fraud in favour of the ruling party.