Russian leader Vladimir Putin has remained notably silent about the mass protests occurring in that nation just days ago. On Thursday, he made his first public comments on the issue.

Russian leader Vladamir Putin has remained notably silent about the mass anti-corruption protests occurring in that nation just days ago. 
On Thursday, he made his public comments on the issue. 
During his visit to Arkhangelsk, a city in the northern part of the country, Putin said, “The fight against corruption has become an instrument for selfish political goals. I think it isn’t right when certain political forces try to use this tool to promote themselves ahead of some political events, including electoral campaigns.”
According to Bloomberg, he also compared the show of resistance, which drew tens of thousands of people in over 75 Russian cities, to the chaos that followed as a result of Arab Spring.
Putin acknowledged the requests, primarily from the West, that those arrested in connection to the protest be released, but only to downplay them. 
On the matter he said, “We consider such calls on Russia as purely politicized, with the aim of exerting pressure on the country’s internal political life.” 
White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked about the protests during his press briefing on Thursday.
Spicer commented, "...when it comes to protests we obviously encourage...the government of Russia to allow the peaceful protest of individuals throughout their country. We obviously support the people to have a voice in every government throughout the world."