Speaking at a meeting with leaders in Russia's parliament, President Putin stressed the need to look carefully at how some companies work online, especially, in social media, and how widely they are involved in domestic political life.

He said it is essential to analyze how these companies are, and will be operating during the presidential election, adding this should not narrow the space for freedom on the Internet.

Earlier this month, the Russian parliament voted to ban reporters of the US-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty from attending Duma sessions. The move came after US Congress barred reporters of RT (formerly Russia Today) from attending its sessions.