- By Mike Eckel
Putin used the first question from a non-Russian media outlet (the BBC) about global tensions, and whether Russia is to blame for the current state of tension in the world, to give a mini-diatribe against the United States, and the West, more broadly
(paraphrase):
"It wasn't us who pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty. It wasn't us who pulled out of the Open Skies treaty."
"What, do you think we're idiots or something?"
This is less Putin getting angry, and more him showing his trademark sharp elbows (and selective facts), and even his judo and jujutsu skills: turning an attack by an opponent back on himself, rather than confronting it with one's own force.
Next question is from a journalist in Chechnya, who starts by thanking Putin from all the citizens of Chechnya. Asks about the constant "absurd accusations" by the U.S. against Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov and the sanctions against him and his family. Asks Putin what is the U.S. trying to achieve?
Putin says that the U.S. not only makes up accusations against Kadyrov but against Russia as a whole all the time. Says that Kadyrov gets attacked because he is so loyal to Russia. Putin says it isn't a particular problem and praises Kadyrov for taking the sanctions in stride.
Putin says Russia is an independent country and Chechnya is developing quickly, so there is nothing to worry about. Says he knows Kadyrov well and "all his life is devoted to the Chechen people."
Same Chechen journalist asks another question about Russia's relations with the Arab world and Kadyrov's role in those relations. Putin says Russia has good relations with the Islamic and Arab worlds. Says they have been a priority back to Soviet times. Says that the extent of Russia's activity in this area is expanding all the time and Russia will continue to develop it.
Putin comes out with full-throated praise for the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, whom rights defenders in Russia and abroad accuse of severe human rights abuses. Without evidence, suggests criticism of Kadyrov is part of a Western effort to undermine Russia.
Next question: Journalist asks if there should be some sort of "international certificate" allowing people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel.
Putin says that idea can be discussed but it is still not clear whether a vaccinated person can spread the virus. He emphasizes that the vaccine is a means of protecting your own health.
Journalist also asked about the growth of the National Welfare Fund. Putin calls it a "safety cushion" that must be in place. He also notes that there is a law on how money from the fund can be spent (only when it exceeds 7 percent of GNP). Putin says that money from the fund is being used to fill the budget deficit, including to finance pandemic-related assistance. Says more than 300 billion rubles have been taken from the fund this year.
"But we are using it carefully," he said.
Next question is from a journalist from Novgorod. Says her region has a problem with housing for students in colleges and institutes. Putin says this is a general problem across the country and the federal government is trying to help, but the main responsibility is with the educational institutions themselves.
Peskov notes that we have passed the four-hour mark for this year's press conference.
Next question is also about the possible extension of the New START treaty. Journalist asks if there will be a new arms race if it is not extended.
Putin repeats that Russia wants to extend New START, but that if nothing happens by February, it will lapse. He says there is already a new arms race, which started "when the U.S. abandoned the ABM treaty." Since then, he says, Russia has been both developing its own missile defense and developing weapons designed to penetrate U.S. ABM systems.
Says the U.S. will soon develop hypersonic missiles (as Russia already has) and that Russia is working on defenses against them. Putin then mentions all the new weapons systems that Russia has been developing in recent years.