MOSCOW

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ruled out for Russia the publication of offensive caricatures on Islam.

"The existence of such a media in our country is absolutely impossible, including in terms of current legislation," Peskov said.

"Russia is partly a Muslim country, there are up to 20 million Muslims in Russia, and in Russia, where, of course, the fundamental religion is Christianity - most of all we have Christians living here - the uniqueness of our country is precisely in its multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature, and all faiths live in full respect for each other.”

His remarks came after a scandal that was provoked by French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, which published cartoons on Islam, hurting the feelings of millions of Muslims.

The publications of the cartoons have sparked a wave of anger and protests across the Islamic world as well as campaigns to boycott French products.