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Russia's Putin meets world media Putin hits back at energy critics
(40 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is giving his annual news conference for the world's media in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly denied claims that Russia is using its energy resources as a lever to put pressure on other countries.
The Russian leader is expected to take questions on a wide variety of subjects: everything from international diplomacy to personal interests. He was addressing the world's media at his annual news conference in Moscow.
More than 1,000 members of the Russian and foreign media registered for the news conference, which has become an annual event. Mr Putin said Russia's energy deals with Ukraine and other neighbouring countries "benefit the consumers" and "experts understand this".
In previous years, it has lasted for more than three hours. In January a Russian row with Belarus over oil exports revived concern among Russia's energy customers in the EU.
Mr Putin seems to relish the challenge of tackling a wide range of subjects. "We are always told that Russia is using its ... economic resources to achieve foreign policy aims. That is not the case," Mr Putin insisted on Thursday.
This time, they are likely to include the question of his successor. He was expected to take questions on a wide variety of subjects: everything from international diplomacy to personal interests.
More than 1,000 members of the Russian and foreign media registered for the news conference, which has become an annual event. In previous years, it has lasted for more than three hours.
Mr Putin is due to leave office in March next year and so far it is not clear who will take his place.Mr Putin is due to leave office in March next year and so far it is not clear who will take his place.
He declined to state any preference for a successor, saying voters would have a "free, democratic" choice.
Russia is enjoying unprecedented wealth and power as an energy supplier, but some question its reliability.Russia is enjoying unprecedented wealth and power as an energy supplier, but some question its reliability.
And the death in London last year of the former Russian secret agent, Alexander Litvinenko, prompted accusations which have damaged Russia's international reputation and threatened to sour diplomatic relations with Britain.And the death in London last year of the former Russian secret agent, Alexander Litvinenko, prompted accusations which have damaged Russia's international reputation and threatened to sour diplomatic relations with Britain.
Not that all the questions will be tough. There is a developing tradition that the first will come from a magazine for gardeners. Not that all the questions will be tough. Last year, one Russian reporter asked Mr Putin what he did to stay looking so young and handsome.
Last year, one Russian reporter asked President Putin what he did to stay looking so young and handsome.