[RFE/RL] Vladimir Putin has criticized Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin, accusing him of placing a "time bomb" under the country, and sharply denouncing brutal repression by the Bolshevik government. Putin was particularly critical of what he said was Lenin's belief that Soviet republics should be equal and have the right to secede, suggesting it strongly contributed to the breakup of the Soviet Union.Putin's criticism could be part of his attempts to justify the Kremlin's policy in the Ukraine. It also may reflect Moscow's concern about separatist sentiment in Russian territory.