The head of the Chechen republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, thinks that Russia's president Vladimir Putin should personally handle issues in the North Caucasus.

"My point is that if we want to change the situation in the Caucasus, Putin himself should handle it. The Caucasus problem is the issue which everyone is afraid of. However, Putin is not and he knows Caucasus very well, he knows our mentality, our culture and traditions," Kadyrov said in an interview to BBC.

"He is a former security services worker, he has studied us well. He will produce better results than any group of men could working together," Kadyrov said.

He added that, thanks to Putin, peace has come to Chechnya.

"If he had not trusted Axmat Khadji (Kadyrov), today's Chechen republic would not exist. Putin himself flew here, he was interested in every little detail. He is a strong man. He does not get offended by those who criticize him, he says that they have their own views and that they are free to express them," Kadyrov said.

Kadyrov, who knows Putin personally, characterized him as "very down-to-earth."

"He is fearless. He cares so much about Russia, about its people. He is not just an ordinary man. He has a big soul, a lot of energy, he is very intelligent and educated," Kadyrov said.