Moving on to this month's World Cup set to kick off in Russia this week. First up is famous Russian soccer coach Valery Gazzayev, who tells Putin significant steps are being taken to improve the country's soccer program. He says everyone understands how busy Putin is, but hopes soccer will stay on Putin's mind. Wishes Putin "strong health." Hopes that "God will watch over" him.
Putin and his infamous yellow Lada thinking about the high price of gasoline in this meme:
Putin tells Kozak: "Prepare that legislation." He says he'll support it.
Listening to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak drone on with a tsunami of verbiage about gasoline prices might make Direct Line organizers rethink their idea of inviting government bureaucrats to participate in the show. Moderators had to cut him off almost by force.
This commentator had the same thought while listening to Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak:
On the horn now via video link is Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who tells Putin that the government has made agreements with oil companies and taken other measures to stabilize prices at fueling stations.
He suggests the government could introduce legislation to keep fuel prices low if oil companies don't play ball.
The opposition Khodorkovsky center has prepared this graphic to accompany Putin's response to the question about high gasoline prices:
Putin says he hopes the government doesn't have to threaten oil companies to ensure that fuel prices don't soar for Russians.
Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak says government has already taken measures -- which he says so far are having a positive impact -- to halt the rise in fuel prices.
Putin answers that what is happening with gas prices "is unacceptable," throws the question over to the Energy Minister by video link.
First video question is from a man who appears to be driving (or being driven in) a truck. He asks when Putin will finally stop the spike in fuel prices, says Russians put their faith in him by voting for his fourth term.