December 6, 2011 - 10:02 AMT
McCain to Putin: Arab Spring is coming to a neighborhood near you

U.S. senator John McCain, known for his staunch criticism of Russia, warned Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that Russia would see an “Arab Spring” of its own, following the post-election street protests.

“Dear Vlad (Vladimir Putin), The Arab Spring is coming to a neighborhood near you,” McCain said in his Twitter micro blog.

The senator added a link from his Twitter comment to a Wall Street Journal article which states that “widespread evidence of voter fraud” will sour Russia’s relations with Western capitals “in the coming days.”

Known for his sharp anti-Russian views, McCain has repeatedly called on the U.S. administration to treat Russia with caution.

Sunday's parliamentary elections in Russia were marred by widespread allegations of poll procedure being manipulated in favor of the ruling United Russia party, with dozens of amateur video clips appearing to show election fraud uploaded onto the Internet and thousands of people protesting against unfair polls, RIA Novosti reported.