EU referendum: Vladimir Putin says David Cameron called vote 'to blackmail Europe'

But the Russian president refused to say which way he thinks the plebiscite will go

Observers say the EU acts on a check on Russian power (AFP/Getty Images)

David Cameron may have called a referendum on the EU "to blackmail Europe", according to Vladimir Putin.

The Russian president also questioned Mr Cameron’s decision to call the vote, as it has caused a “great problem”.

However, Mr Putin refrained from voicing his opinion on the matter and said the decision is "the business of the people of the UK".

The comments are the leader’s first in public regarding the referendum.

Politicians and geopolitical observers have speculated that the controversial world leader would welcome the prospect of Britain leaving the EU, as it would greatly weaken the political bloc – which currently serves as a check on Russian power.

However, speaking in St Petersburg, Mr Putin said: "I don't think this is very proper to engage Russia in all the problems, even if we are not involved in it, to make Russia a scarecrow. Civilised people do not do things this way.

"As for the Prime Minister of the UK, there is a great problem with Brexit, why did he initiate this vote in the first place? Why did he do that? So he wanted to blackmail Europe or to scare someone, what was the goal if he was against?

"I want to say it is none of our business, it is the business of the people of the UK. I have my own opinion on this matter, I cannot talk about the result yet - no one knows about the result yet, I think it is 50-50 with a certain margin of error."

According to journalists present, the Russian president appeared well informed on the domestic arguments raging in Britain about membership, singling out controversial EU fishing laws as a particularly contentious issue for some Britons.

But he kept his opinion on the outcome of the plebiscite to himself and said: "Who can predict it? No one can predict it. I have my own opinion on this matter - whether it is good or bad - but I will refrain from giving the forecast. I think it would be improper on my part to do that.

"Whatever I say will be interpreted to the benefit of either side, that's the business of the EU and the people of the UK.

"Different experts have different estimates about whether Brexit will benefit Great Britain or not, some say it will be to the detriment and some say the EU will be more stable and stronger.

Several EU member states border Russia, but are wary about the country’s intentions, particularly since the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 following the country’s revolution.

In addition, Russia invaded its neighbour Georgia in 2008, following a dispute over the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Press Association contributed to this report.