As the moderator talks about the incredible popularity of this annual event, an SMS comment flashes on the screen: "Why are all of these 'Direct Lines' so staged? Is VVP [Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin] scared of the truth?"
Moderator again has to cut off a minister who is droning on. This thing about inviting officials to speak is not really working out.
Putin says that he "entirely agrees" with the young oncologist. Says there are great problems, but that he sees "a positive trend." Putin says more must be done to secure early diagnosis. Says more must be done to develop nuclear medicine and chemotherapy. Says more must be done to attract young specialists to oncology. Need to build new oncology centers and improve the existing ones. Then asks Health Minister Veronika Skortsova to comment. And, no surprisingly, she says Putin is "completely correct."
Putin expressed firm support for Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, the former sports minister who in December was replaced as chairman of the 2018 World Cup organizing committee amid pressure over allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia. Putin says he has good potential and won't be fired. The International Olympic Committee in December issued a lifetime ban against Mutko. Putin conceded that the official needs to work on his English.
Next question is about Putin's recent call for a national program against cancer. Oncologist says people are waiting months for treatment, being forced to travel thousands of kilometers for treatment, unable to get necessary medicines. Also says many people are misdiagnosed. She asks Putin how doctors can fight against cancer under these circumstances.
Putin defends controversial former Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who was at the heart of the doping scandal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Says he did a lot to get Russia ready for the World Cup. Mutko is now deputy prime minister. Putin says he still has "great potential."
Says Rogozin was in charge of the military-industrial complex for six years and is "entirely competent" in the area of space.
This is one of the bloggers (right) at a Moscow business center. She said she's 38 and asked when blogging is going to become a full-time profession in Russia. Putin said she looks younger than 38.
