Social media giving big thumbs down to Putin's statement that "bureaucracy is eternal. Defeating it isn't possible."
Meduza takes Putin to task for stating that Russians' incomes were gradually rising after years of decline. Finds Putin's claim lacking.
Journalist from RIA Novosti notes that Russia has been under international sanctions for many years and asks whether Moscow is ready for a new wave of sanctions. Putin says Russia "has lived under restrictions and sanctions" for practically its whole history. Repeats again that this is done to restrict Russia's power and development. Putin says Moscow defends its 160 million citizens "without bravado, modestly." Says that Russia's economy has "adapted" to sanctions and restrictions. Says Western sanctions are hurting the countries that imposed them. "They lost our market," he says. Admits the sanctions have had a "negative influence" on the economy, but shifts immediately to the "benefits" of being forced to think of new ways to develop the economy. Talks about the benefits of "import substitution," despite the fact it led to increases in retail prices. "There are minuses, but there are also pluses," he said.
Putin notes that today is KGB Day in Russia. Regional journalist says "we are all children of the KGB -- we just understand this differently." Asks whether the restoration of socialism in Russia is possible. Putin says he thinks not (sighing deeply as he says that). Says it is possible to introduce "elements" of socialism, but society has changed too much to go back to socialism. Putin talks about "a just distribution of resources" and "building state policy to minimize the proportion of the poor and to secure for the people education and medicine." "This is the policy we are pursuing now," Putin said.
Chinese journalist asks about Russia-Chinese relations. Putin praises them, including growing trade relations and security relations. Says Russian and Chinese cooperation in international matters is a major "stabilizing" factor. Praises "stability" inside China, says this is essential for a country with 1.3 billion people.
Asked why Russia still doesn't recycle, Putin answers, "Do you know there are islands of waste in the Pacific Ocean?"
- By Luke Allnutt
Putin has been taking questions for over 90 minutes now. So far, the Russian president has:
-- cast Russia’s sluggish economy in a positive light.
-- criticized the United States for abandoning Cold War-era nuclear arms treaties, saying that the risk of a devastating war should not be underestimated.
-- repeated his claim that Kyiv was to blame for an incident in which Russian forces fired on Ukrainian naval vessels off Russian-held Crimea on November 25.
U.S. journalist asks about the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria and President Donald Trump's assertion that the U.S. has defeated Islamic State (IS). Putin says that he agrees with Trump that IS has been "dealt a serious blow" in Syria but says there is still a threat in other countries, including Afghanistan. "This is a great danger for all of us," Putin says. Putin says he doesn't understand the withdrawal of U.S. forces -- says the U.S. has been saying it is withdrawing from Afghanistan for years and is still there. Says Russia sees no signs yet that the U.S. is withdrawing from Syria. Then begins talking about the Russia-led peace process in Syria and the possible formation of a constitutional commission -- says this work is in its "final stages." Says presence of U.S. forces in Syria was "illegitimate" and didn't contribute to a political settlement there. Says Russia is "overall" satisfied with cooperation between Russia and the U.S. on fighting terrorism.