President Putin's position is absolutely stable: Russian diplomat

President Vladimir Putin's position is absolutely stable and there is no change in overall situation in Russia, a senior Kremlin diplomat said on Monday, days after a brief rebellion against Putin by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Russia's special presidential representative for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy said Prigozhin wanted to become Russian president but it was a "mistake".

Shvydkoy, currently on a visit to India, was speaking to a small group of reporters here.

"The current situation in Russia is stable and the contemporary position of President Putin is also absolutely stable," he said, replying to a question.

Shvydkoy, a former minister of culture, said Russians get fully united when the country faces any challenging situation.

"The situation is more or less the same. Russia is totally united," he said while refusing to elaborate further.

The rebellion by Prigozhin and the forces loyal to him marked the most serious challenge to President Puti