While interviewed on Dozhd (Rain) television channel, Gorbachev was asked whether he believes Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is afraid of the political system's collapse. "Perhaps. Such a system as Putin's is exactly a target for destruction. It needs to be destroyed."

Then he corrected himself, "The system should be changed."

Gorbachev insisted that Putin should resign, but suggested that "something is preventing him" from stepping down so far.

Speaking about President Dmitry Medvedev, Gorbachev said, "It's been clear from the very start that Medvedev is a worthy and well-educated man."

Russia should develop in a democratic way, because "the people don't want any mess to be started and whatever they have to be destroyed."

"A lot of issues haven't been solved, including problems of poverty, education, housing and utilities, medicine, corruption and so on. The people would like to go step by step," Gorbachev said.

Gorbachev disagreed that the current governance system could evolve into an authoritarian one. On the contrary, the authorities will do all they can to "appease" the people, he said.

He also said he was sure that the authorities would not resort to force to dissolve rallies.

Speaking about Alexei Navalny, an opposition leader and an anti-corruption activist and blogger, Gorbachev called him "an interesting phenomenon and a promising person."

However, he said he does not see him as the head of state yet. "Remember how Turgenev referred to Tolstoy? Too young and green, but this is going to be a drink worthy of gods when fermented," he said.

Gorbachev said he would like to speak at an opposition rally but did not have such a chance so far.

"I think we should complete this momentous and historic dialogue so as to end this period, in which it is very difficult for us to live. I hope we'll manage this," Gorbachev said.

He supported the idea of limiting the time during which a person can occupy a public office by two terms and reinstate gubernatorial elections.

Gorbachev also said he has always voted in elections. Talking about the Central Elections Commission's decision not to register Grigory Yavlinsky as a presidential candidate, the ex-Soviet leader suggested that the Supreme Court "could teach it a good lesson. He [Yavlinsky] should be registered."

Asked whether he believes there are political prisoners in Russia, Gorbachev said, "Don't know. But some Criminal Code [articles] need to be updated. In some cases, the reasons [for conviction] look stunning."