Vladimir Kozhin, chief of the Office for Presidential Affairs, denied on Monday media reports that his agency is building new posh residences for President Dmitry Medvedev or Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Interfax said.

December reports said a “palace” worth $1 billion being built near Gelendzhik on the Black Sea is intended for Putin’s use. But no proof of the building’s link to the prime minister was presented, and Kozhin said none exists.

The Black Sea project “has nothing to do with our office or the head of the government. We never did any construction there and aren’t planning any,” he said.

No new residences for the president in addition to the five existing ones are in the works, Kozhin added. 

(MT)