Putin swats down Russian worries on annual televised call-in
- 9 years ago
Concerning everything Russians want to know about their president’s worldview, once a year, Vladimir Putin accepts their questions, sent through a triage centre, and broadcasts answers live in front of a handpicked television studio audience in Moscow.
On western sanctions over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, Putin appeared proud and isolated.
“I have told business leaders not to expect a lifting of the sanctions, because they are purely political. They are a strategic tool to force Russia to cooperate. Some countries want to contain our development. And, by the way, I believe this is not directly related to the events in Ukraine any more.”
Putin played down 11.4% inflation, rising unemployment — to 5.8% and a fall in investment by 2.5%, adding that the birth rate was up, death rate down, and life expectancy longer.
He talked tough on Russia’s counter-sanction banning EU agricultural produce.
“We don’t have to endure the sanctions, we have to use the circumstances su
On western sanctions over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, Putin appeared proud and isolated.
“I have told business leaders not to expect a lifting of the sanctions, because they are purely political. They are a strategic tool to force Russia to cooperate. Some countries want to contain our development. And, by the way, I believe this is not directly related to the events in Ukraine any more.”
Putin played down 11.4% inflation, rising unemployment — to 5.8% and a fall in investment by 2.5%, adding that the birth rate was up, death rate down, and life expectancy longer.
He talked tough on Russia’s counter-sanction banning EU agricultural produce.
“We don’t have to endure the sanctions, we have to use the circumstances su