"I love Russia but I hate Soviet-style propaganda. Enough already."
Don't lie....
Putin says the main goal in pension policy is to raise the incomes of pensioners. He's very short on details, however, saying that the government will reveal proposed measures to ensure this "very soon."
"Then we will discuss these measures," Putin says.
Asked what piece of advice he would give his grandson, Putin says: "Don't lie."
This line will likely trigger a few responses from critics, to put it mildly.
Putin fields a couple of softball and personal questions. He says that he laughs at himself often, and is then asked what his favorite joke is. Instead of an actual joke, he turns to geopolitics, saying a "very famous and popular" German publication recently said U.S. President Donald Trump was pushing Europe into Putin's hands. He likens that to U.S. accusations of Russian meddling in U.S. politics.
"It's complete nonsense," Putin says. "One can't call this anything but a joke."
Moderator asks if the hospital staff in Strunino is satisfied with what they hear from the governor and they say basically say, no. Said the improvements that the governor mentioned are not really helping and that the hospital itself is still closing down. Putin says the federal government will work with the governor to improve the situation.
Putin talks about a new government program for mobile clinics. Says he completely agrees with the hospital staff and hands over the answer to Vladimir Oblast Governor Svetlana Orlova, who says they are not closing anything in Strunino. Expresses gratitude to Putin for the support of the federal center, talks about the repairs of other hospitals in the oblast. Says problems are "temporary and, of course, we are going to get them under control." Putin tells the government that the need for work in this area is "urgent" and tells her to pay "particular attention" to it.
Now there is a long on-site report from a decaying hospital in Strunino in Vladimir Oblast. Staff complain that all the departments are closing down and that patients have to travel far for treatment. People ask how many people are served by the hospital and they answer more than 14,000.