A journalist from The Wall Street Journal says many in the West think Putin wants to rule the world and asks if this is really true. Putin says there is a force that wants to rule the world, but it isn't in Moscow. Compares U.S. military budget to Russia's. Says the U.S. is creating Russia as an enemy to gather NATO countries around the U.S. Putin says Russia's main goal is to secure the conditions for the country's development. Russia, he says, is in favor of strengthening international law on the basis of the United Nations.
A journalist from Ryazan asks Putin to support "deceived mortgage holders" who took out mortgages for apartments that were never built. Says her husband was murdered because of her work on this topic. Discusses the problem in St. Petersburg, although it is a national issue. Says her appeal is "not a question but a cry for help." Putin says he will "definitely give some attention" to the case of her husband's murder. Putin admits the mortgage problem is very serious and that the country needs to move to a "civilized" way of building housing. Says the government needs to help people who have been deceived.
Journalist asks whether Putin is preparing a meeting with U.S. President Trump. Putin says he hopes the bottom has been reached in U.S.-Russian relations but says he doesn't know when or if there will be a summit. Says Russia is open to one. Says relations on the "expert level" are proceeding ahead. Says trade is falling between the two countries and says that "working with Russia" could be an important part of "making America great again." Notes that the Democrats will soon take power in the House of Representatives and predicts there will "be new attacks on the president." Says democratic values are being undermined in the West -- claims some people don't want to recognize Trump even though he was elected, again raises issue of those calling for a second referendum on Brexit. Urges Western experts to discuss this.
Interesting graphic on Twitter by Roman Yuhnovets. Shows the Russian TV channels broadcasting the Putin presser. Note the breakdown between the thumbs up and thumbs down clicked by those engaging.
Next journalist asks about Putin's health. "How are you and do you need any help?" she asks. Putin flirts with her a bit. Journalist then proposes creating a Ministry of Ideas in the Russian government and Putin says it is a good idea. Says Economic Development Ministry should already be carrying out this function. Says he'd like to hear the journalist's ideas on what such a ministry should be. Putin says his health is good and he exercises.
Next journalist asks about athletic sanctions against Russia for doping. Putin says this is Russia's fault because there was, in fact, doping. But he denies any state involvement, saying the government has to worry about the health of its athletes. But he says Russia has not organized its international sports properly. Then says there is doping everywhere. Says there is a WADA delegation in Russia now and he hopes the problems will be resolved.
Next journalist asks about the quality of Russian pharmaceuticals and the development of that industry. Putin says Russian products are as good as foreign ones. As for quantity, he says Russia is now even exporting medicines. Putin says Russia is now producing 80 percent of essential medicines.
Next journalist says although Putin's rosy figures on the economy are accurate, people don't believe them because they are experiencing difficult times. Journalist blames mid-level officials and says "some sort of reform" is needed. Quotes a reader as asking him to ask Putin about the "huge difference" between earnings of top managers and average workers. Putin says the theme of the good tsar and the bad nobles is an ancient one in Russia. Putin agrees that there are some officials that aren't good at their jobs or aren't able to communicate with people properly. Putin says the government is working on this, attracting new people, improving state administration academies. Situation slowly getting better. As far as gap in incomes, Putin says unfortunately it is a problem everywhere, including in the United States. Says that gap was understood and used by Trump in his successful campaign.