Putin brags about Russian economic system at opening of annual press convention

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his marathon press convention and call-in present, an annual occasion he makes use of to strengthen his authority and reveal his full management over the nation’s political scene.

Mr. Putin started by boasting about Russia’s financial efficiency, saying it’s on monitor to develop almost 4 p.c this yr.

He acknowledged that shopper inflation is excessive, at 9.3%, however highlighted the central financial institution’s efforts to cut back it and insisted that the state of affairs within the economic system stays “steady”.

The tightly choreographed session, broadcast stay by state-controlled tv channels throughout Russia’s 11 time zones, has been closely dominated by home points lately.

Most reporters and unusual individuals calling into the studio ask about highway repairs, utility costs, residence upkeep, medical companies, authorities subsidies for households and different financial and social points.

Journalists from greater than 80 components of the nation maintain up colourful placards and placards within the foyer close to the Kremlin as they desperately attempt to entice Mr Putin’s consideration.

Russian state media reported that unusual residents submitted greater than two million questions forward of the present.

Questions on Russia’s army motion in Ukraine and rising tensions with the West are anticipated to be a significant a part of the present.

Mr Putin, in energy for nearly 1 / 4 of a century, has pledged to hold out what he describes as a “particular army operation” and boasted of Russia’s features on the battlefield This yr.

However simply two days earlier than Mr Putin’s press convention, a prime Russian normal was killed by a bomb outdoors his residence constructing in Moscow.

The brazen assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, claimed by Ukraine, has introduced the almost three-year battle again to the streets of the Russian capital.

Mr. Putin mentioned final month’s strike on Ukraine with a brand new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile was a response to Western allies permitting kyiv to make use of their longer-range weapons to strike the Russia.

He threatened that Moscow might launch extra strikes on Ukraine with the brand new Oreshnik missile and warned that it is also used to focus on army installations of nations which have allowed Ukraine to make use of their missiles for assaults deep in Russia.

Mr. Putin mentioned Moscow was prepared for negotiations on a peaceable settlement of the battle, however reiterated its demand that Ukraine abandon its try to affix NATO and acknowledge Russia’s achievements. Ukraine and the West have rejected these calls for.

The Russian chief’s feedback on Thursday will likely be carefully watched for any indicators of a change in his negotiating stance forward of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to dealer a deal to finish hostilities.

Mr. Putin might additionally touch upon the autumn of Syrian President Bashar Assad, to whom he supplied political asylum. Mr. Assad’s disappearance was a painful blow to Russia, which launched a army intervention in Syria 9 years in the past to assist Mr. Assad’s authorities amid civil conflict.

Moscow rapidly sought to ascertain contacts with the victorious rebels to safe its diplomatic and army personnel within the nation and try to increase the lease of its air and naval bases within the nation.