MOSCOW, October 31 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin told Dutch media Monday that Russia should study the liberal experience of the Netherlands, including the legalization of euthanasia and marijuana in order to decide the proper course for Russia.

"Undoubtedly, we respect the choice of your leadership," Putin said in the run up to his state visit to the Netherlands. "But the recent practice shows that even the liberalization of soft drugs will not help reduce the abuse of hard drugs."

"Any problems in these spheres should be resolved by modern means proceeding from the traditions and cultural features of one nation or another," Putin said.