Russian President Dmitry Medvedev reportedly backs efforts by the UN cultural agency to halt construction of a glass-and-steel skyscraper in St. Petersburg's historic center.
The leading Russian daily "Kommersant" today quoted a letter from a Kremlin aide instructing St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko and other officials to take note of UNESCO's call for the building to be halted or scaled back.
The planned 403-meter tower is set to house state-run gas giant Gazprom's offices by 2016.
Supporters, including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, say the $3 billion project will help revive the city's economy, but the plans have caused an outcry among local residents and opposition parties.
compiled from agency reports
The leading Russian daily "Kommersant" today quoted a letter from a Kremlin aide instructing St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko and other officials to take note of UNESCO's call for the building to be halted or scaled back.
The planned 403-meter tower is set to house state-run gas giant Gazprom's offices by 2016.
Supporters, including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, say the $3 billion project will help revive the city's economy, but the plans have caused an outcry among local residents and opposition parties.
compiled from agency reports
