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Putin press conference: don't blame me for Democrats' election loss – live Putin press conference: don't blame me for Democrats' election loss – live
(35 minutes later)
12.45pm GMT
12:45
We’ve now reached the silly stage of Putin’s annual press conference, which has been going on for nearly four hours. Normally at this this point you can expect questions on gardening or how to bring up children. I missed this exchange but fortunately Shaun Walker was there to record it for posterity:
"Can I ask about love?" calls out a journalist"Love quickly turns to hate," says Putin, turning her down.
12.43pm GMT
12:43
Updated
at 12.50pm GMT
12.40pm GMT
12:40
Putin is now talking about the deaths in Siberia of dozens of people from drinking fake alcohol. The deaths in Irkutsk appear to have been caused by a counterfeit batch of Boyaryshnik, a concentrated liquid sold as a relaxant to add to bathwater but widely known as a cheap alcohol substitute. At least 74 people have perished.
Putin calls it a terrible tragedy. “I just don’t have words for it,” he says. He says a lot of citizens, some of them foreigners, have been producing home-grown spirits. They didn’t understand what they were doing, he says.
Updated
at 12.45pm GMT
12.33pm GMT
12:33
A question about Alexander Sokolov, a Russian reporter arrested over alleged extremism. Putin says he’ll look at it.
The journalist complains about the way liberal media outlets have been shut down or sued in court by Kremlin officials. The officials have always won, she says. They include Igor Sechin, Putin’s friend, who successfully sued the newspaper Novaya Gazeta after it revealed details of his mega-yacht.
Putin defends Sechin (who is, incidentally, good friends with Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson). “What else can he do to defend his honour and dignity? He goes to court, like in any other civilised country,” Putin says.
Updated
at 12.49pm GMT
12.27pm GMT
12:27
A question from China’s state CCTV. A journalist says Europe is in bad shape, with terrorist attacks. Plus there’s a new president in the White House. What does he think about relations with China?
We have a strategic partnership with China, Putin says. It’s a major economic partner for us, he adds. We have joint projects in atomic energy, space, infrastructure. And we have a “common position” on many international questions. This is a stabilising force in global affairs, he says.
Updated
at 12.49pm GMT
12.17pm GMT
12:17
Here’s some more from Shaun:
“So, we’ve passed the two-and-a-half-hour mark. Putin has started showing the strain a little with the appearance of his trademark dry cough, and there are still hundreds of journalists bouncing up and down with their homemade signs trying to get the Russian president to pay attention. It can be pretty random: the guy with a large yellow “CHESS” sign just got picked, but SAVE OUR VOLGA, CLEVER RUSSIA, BARACK OBAMA and FROM THE HEART OF RUSSIA are among the dozens that are still waiting.”
“It has been a pretty sterile affair so far by Putin’s standards. Perhaps the most interesting moment for international audiences was Putin’s vicious castigation of the Obama administration. Otherwise we’ve had questions on oil prices, grain production, and whether or not foreign consulting firms should be banned from Russia.”
“How much longer we’ll go is a mystery – it could wrap up shortly after the three-hour mark or it could go on for hours more.”
12.17pm GMT
12:17
12.12pm GMT12.12pm GMT
12:1212:12
Will Putin stand again as president? This comes from Andrey Kolesnikov, celebrated correspondent for the Kommersant newspaper. Russia’s next election is due 2018. It would surprise no-one if Putin did stand for a fourth presidential term.Will Putin stand again as president? This comes from Andrey Kolesnikov, celebrated correspondent for the Kommersant newspaper. Russia’s next election is due 2018. It would surprise no-one if Putin did stand for a fourth presidential term.
Putin says he’ll look at the state of the world and Russia, have a think and then decide. This sounds to me like a yes.Putin says he’ll look at the state of the world and Russia, have a think and then decide. This sounds to me like a yes.
12.08pm GMT12.08pm GMT
12:0812:08
Putin expresses condolences to the victims of Monday's terror attack in BerlinPutin expresses condolences to the victims of Monday's terror attack in Berlin
Ah! A question in German. Putin speaks German fluently from his time as a KGB spy in Dresden. What does he make of the terror attack in Berlin? And the death yesterday aged 80 of Stalin’s grandson Yevgeny Dzhugashvili?Ah! A question in German. Putin speaks German fluently from his time as a KGB spy in Dresden. What does he make of the terror attack in Berlin? And the death yesterday aged 80 of Stalin’s grandson Yevgeny Dzhugashvili?
Putin talks about Russia’s relations with Germany. Russia hasn’t started anything and is merely responding to “anti-Russian sanctions”, he says. He asks: “Let’s look at what actually happened.” [He’s referring to events in Ukraine in 2014, which saw president Viktor Yanukovich flees to Russia following anti-government protests.]Putin talks about Russia’s relations with Germany. Russia hasn’t started anything and is merely responding to “anti-Russian sanctions”, he says. He asks: “Let’s look at what actually happened.” [He’s referring to events in Ukraine in 2014, which saw president Viktor Yanukovich flees to Russia following anti-government protests.]
He says Russia was merely responding to the “tragedy in the Donbas” in eastern Ukraine. “We didn’t initiate these events,” he repeats. “We don’t consider ourselves to be the guilty parties. He says Russia was merely responding to the “tragedy in the Donbas” in eastern Ukraine. “We didn’t initiate these events,” he repeats. “We don’t consider ourselves to be the guilty party.”
He sends his condolences to the victims of Monday’s terror attack in Berlin. He says western spy agencies have stopped cooperating with their Russian counterparts, making terrorism easier.He sends his condolences to the victims of Monday’s terror attack in Berlin. He says western spy agencies have stopped cooperating with their Russian counterparts, making terrorism easier.
Updated
at 12.15pm GMT
12.01pm GMT12.01pm GMT
12:0112:01
It’s a “tough question” now. A lot of your friends have been given influential jobs and got state awards. They have become regional governors across Russia, one journalist says, citing various examples. “Did you do this specially?”, he asks.It’s a “tough question” now. A lot of your friends have been given influential jobs and got state awards. They have become regional governors across Russia, one journalist says, citing various examples. “Did you do this specially?”, he asks.
The question is indeed a good one: many of Putin’s old school-friends and cronies from St Petersburg are now billionaires (though the journalist doesn’t mention this.) Putin says he’s appointed these people for the good of Russia. They are effective, energetic and reliable, he says.The question is indeed a good one: many of Putin’s old school-friends and cronies from St Petersburg are now billionaires (though the journalist doesn’t mention this.) Putin says he’s appointed these people for the good of Russia. They are effective, energetic and reliable, he says.
11.49am GMT11.49am GMT
11:4911:49
Now it’s the turn of Lenta.Ru, an online news portal. (Its editor was fired after printing an interview with a Ukrainian ultra-nationalist, in a blow to Russia’s already squeezed independent media.) The question is rather disappointing, about the treatment of animals.Now it’s the turn of Lenta.Ru, an online news portal. (Its editor was fired after printing an interview with a Ukrainian ultra-nationalist, in a blow to Russia’s already squeezed independent media.) The question is rather disappointing, about the treatment of animals.
Not everyone is finding this scintillating:Not everyone is finding this scintillating:
Putin's big annual press conference. Hour one. pic.twitter.com/HxD7AlWwN5Putin's big annual press conference. Hour one. pic.twitter.com/HxD7AlWwN5
Shaun Walker isn’t having a great time, either:Shaun Walker isn’t having a great time, either:
At 2hrs48, Putin presser approaching the length of two football matches. My laptop has 40% power left & frankly I'd back VVP to outlast it.At 2hrs48, Putin presser approaching the length of two football matches. My laptop has 40% power left & frankly I'd back VVP to outlast it.
11.49am GMT11.49am GMT
11:4911:49
11.45am GMT11.45am GMT
11:4511:45
And now an interesting question from a Kurdish journalist. Russia is playing a big role in the world, especially in the Middle East. What does Russia think about the fact that Iraqi Kurds are on the way to independence?And now an interesting question from a Kurdish journalist. Russia is playing a big role in the world, especially in the Middle East. What does Russia think about the fact that Iraqi Kurds are on the way to independence?
Putin says Russia has always had a very good relationship with the Kurds. They’ve had a tough destiny, he says. He says the Kurds have fought very effectively against terrorism. On sovereignty, Putin says everything must be done according to international law. What happens next is up to Iraq and the Kurds, he adds.Putin says Russia has always had a very good relationship with the Kurds. They’ve had a tough destiny, he says. He says the Kurds have fought very effectively against terrorism. On sovereignty, Putin says everything must be done according to international law. What happens next is up to Iraq and the Kurds, he adds.
11.42am GMT11.42am GMT
11:4211:42
Putin gets a question from the North Caucasus. This is Russia’s Muslim south where a largely unreported war has been going on between Islamist rebels and federal and local security forces. The area has suffered from “international terrorism”. Should the term “Islamic State” be banned? Putin doesn’t agree.Putin gets a question from the North Caucasus. This is Russia’s Muslim south where a largely unreported war has been going on between Islamist rebels and federal and local security forces. The area has suffered from “international terrorism”. Should the term “Islamic State” be banned? Putin doesn’t agree.
He moves onto another question about Russia’s road-building programme in the north of the country. Roads are an old favourite at these events. A good transport system is important, Putin says.He moves onto another question about Russia’s road-building programme in the north of the country. Roads are an old favourite at these events. A good transport system is important, Putin says.
11.36am GMT11.36am GMT
11:3611:36
We’ve been going for two-and-a-half hours now and my neck is beginning to hurt. Putin is talking about Crimea again. He says he will step up electricity production to the peninsula, which has suffered from shortages and blackouts. His audience applauds.We’ve been going for two-and-a-half hours now and my neck is beginning to hurt. Putin is talking about Crimea again. He says he will step up electricity production to the peninsula, which has suffered from shortages and blackouts. His audience applauds.
11.31am GMT11.31am GMT
11:3111:31
The later stages of Putin’s press conferences can go anywhere, frankly. Putin is now talking about chess. He says Russia can be proud of its chess players and its specialist chess schools. The chess centre in Sochi - scene of Russia’s 2014 Winter Olympics - is doing good things, he says.The later stages of Putin’s press conferences can go anywhere, frankly. Putin is now talking about chess. He says Russia can be proud of its chess players and its specialist chess schools. The chess centre in Sochi - scene of Russia’s 2014 Winter Olympics - is doing good things, he says.
Putin praises Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian world number one and winner of this month’s Fide world championship in New York. Carlsen was playing against the Crimean-born and Russian-affiliated challenger Sergey Karjakin.Putin praises Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian world number one and winner of this month’s Fide world championship in New York. Carlsen was playing against the Crimean-born and Russian-affiliated challenger Sergey Karjakin.
11.28am GMT11.28am GMT
11:2811:28
11.26am GMT11.26am GMT
11:2611:26
Now something from RT, the Kremlin’s international propaganda channel! Americans love to talk about democracy. Now people think the recent US election wasn’t democratic at all. What does Putin think?Now something from RT, the Kremlin’s international propaganda channel! Americans love to talk about democracy. Now people think the recent US election wasn’t democratic at all. What does Putin think?
Putin says the US electoral system is “archaic” and “unfair” but that ultimately this is a matter for the American people. He says America is “a great country”.Putin says the US electoral system is “archaic” and “unfair” but that ultimately this is a matter for the American people. He says America is “a great country”.
Oliver Carroll of the Moscow Times is unimpressed with this question:Oliver Carroll of the Moscow Times is unimpressed with this question:
Brilliant, cutting, unscripted question fm @RT_com: “Americans talk abt democracy more than anyone, and now they complain. Am I right, VV?”Brilliant, cutting, unscripted question fm @RT_com: “Americans talk abt democracy more than anyone, and now they complain. Am I right, VV?”
11.20am GMT11.20am GMT
11:2011:20
One of the most amusing commentators on Twitter is @DarthPutinKGB, a parody account that pokes fun at Russia’s leader. After a somewhat slow start this morning he’s just tweeted this:One of the most amusing commentators on Twitter is @DarthPutinKGB, a parody account that pokes fun at Russia’s leader. After a somewhat slow start this morning he’s just tweeted this:
I like when journalists ask me multiple questions. That way I can ignore the awkward one, joke about the easy one and lie about the hard oneI like when journalists ask me multiple questions. That way I can ignore the awkward one, joke about the easy one and lie about the hard one