Although Peskov tried to end the event, Putin has called for more questions from regional journalists.
Russian Service of RFE/RL notes that Putin has picked the soccer World Cup hosted by Russia and Russia's presidential elections as the two biggest events of the year.
Russian journalist from Euronews asks about the militarization of Crimea and does Russia plan to claim the entire Sea of Azov. Putin begins with the referendum in Crimea and how Crimea "became part of Russia." Says when that happened, Crimea became a part of Russia's overall national-security policy. As for the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait, Putin discusses the Kerch Bridge and other projects to connect Crimea to Russia. Putin says Russia is developing the entire area, not just in a military sense. Says Russia has spent 300 billion rubles developing the region. Discusses the geopolitical problems of the narrow Kerch Strait. Says passage through the strait is proceeding normally. Says that before the recent incident, Ukrainian military ships when through the strait with Russian pilots without any problems. Then there was a "provocation" connected with Ukraine's presidential election. Putin says the Ukrainian-Russia agreement on the use of the Sea of Azov is still in effect and Russia does not intend to make any "unilateral steps." Moscow wants to "normalize" the situation.
Journalist from Chechnya asks Putin if anything can be done to return Russian citizens who "for one reason or another" ended up in Syria. Asks Putin to come and visit Chechnya, saying the president has great support there. Putin thanks him.