When rulers of authoritarian regimes are more pro-freedom than western leaders, you know we're in trouble.

Putin told the Russian Internet Governance Forum, "I am confident that we should continue to follow the principle of the freedom of the Internet, creating conditions for a wide exchange of information and the implementation of business initiatives and startups."

The Russian leader said that it was important to balance free speech online with concerns about tackling cyber-crime and illegal content.

Putin's position is at odds with many western leaders, who have elevated concerns about "fake news" and people's feelings being hurt over free speech.