Russia's powerful prime minister, Vladimir Putin, said on Friday totalitarianism and Ukrainian-style political chaos are equally unacceptable for Russia.

Putin spoke at a Kremlin session of the State Council, an advisory board of regional governors and top officials, where President Dmitry Medvedev urged earlier on Friday "a flexible multi-party system" to match the country's bold modernization plans.

Echoing the president, Putin said Russia's political system should be constantly updated, but cautioned against "the Ukrainianization of political life in Russia."

Putin said tilting toward totalitarianism and dictatorship is also dangerous.

Critics accuse Russia of backsliding on democracy and stifling freedom. Moscow denies the charges saying it seeks political stability, often pointing to ongoing political battles and economic difficulties in Ukraine as something it wants to avoid.

The premier, who heads the ruling United Russia party that dominates the federal and most regional legislatures, said an effective political system must contain a healthy portion of conservatism.

"A political system must not tremble like a bowl of jelly when you touch it," said Putin, who coined the term "managed democracy" when president.

Medvedev, Putin's handpicked successor, is seen as a liberal politician. He has pledged to develop civil and economic freedom in Russia and curb widespread corruption. Medvedev has also moved to diversify the economy cutting its reliance on oil and gas revenues and focusing on hi-tech projects.

Putin, criticized in the West when president for increasing the state's role in business and politically motivated probes, is continuing to enjoy high popularity ratings in Russia. He is credited for bringing stability after the Yeltsin-era economic and political collapse and presiding over an economic boom, although mainly driven by exorbitant energy prices.

Putin pledged at the State Council to prevent ungrounded prosecution for political activities.

MOSCOW, January 22 (RIA Novosti)