Video: Russia's Putin Says Why Did Britain Call Brexit referendum - Why Did Cameron Initiate This If He Is Against It Himself?"

REUTERS/DAVID GRAY

British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) sits with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting on the side of the G20 leaders summit in Brisbane November 15, 2014.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday questioned why British Prime Minister David Cameron had called a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

"If it's such a problem, why did he initiate this, if he is against it himself?" Putin said of Cameron at a meeting on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Putin said that he had a view on whether Britain should leave the EU but that it was not appropriate for him to voice it because it was Britain's internal affair.

(Reporting by Alessandra Galloni; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Hugh Lawson)