Q: Why has Russian foreign policy failed in Ukraine.
Putin: It's not our failure it's the failure of Ukraine's domestic policy.
Putin: There are no Russian troops in Ukraine
Opposition member Irina Khakamada asks Putin about Nemtsov murder and Russian participation in Ukraine conflict. She also asks whether Navalny will be able to run.
Putin on opposition in government: It's one thing to be in the opposition and criticize everything, this brings you out in the open.
Putin on Nemtsov: One day after this happened FSB and police investigators knew the name of the perpetrators. The only question we had was how to arrest them. Whether they will find the mastermind, I don't know.
Putin on troops: "I can tell you very clearly, there are no Russian troops in Ukraine."
On to Ukraine
Q: Is it true Poroshenko said Putin could "take Donbas?"
Putin: No, this never happened. But Kyiv isn't doing anything to force Minsk agreements. Donbas is under a "blockade." Whether the people who have taken up arms are right and wrong is a different question -- "I have my own opinions about that."
"You can say that the Ukrainian leadership cuts off Donbas with their own hands."
Q: How can you work with Kyiv if you can't trust them
Putin: You can't choose your partners
Q: Thousands have died at the hands of Poroshenko. Do you feel uncomfortable working with him?
Putin: No, but there will be consequences. Poroshenko had a chance to use peaceful methods to resolve issues, but Kyiv is resuming hostilities nonetheless. The situation has now hit a dead end, but there is still a way out: Abide by Minsk agreements, constitutional reforms, and address social issues. We have no plans to interfere, but we can express our opinion.
Q: Why does Russia offer gas discounts, offer coal, etc. and in response we get this?
Putin: The political situation in a country can change, but the "people will still be there and this is a brotherly nation to us...this is the same nation, ethnically." Our situation isn't good, but theirs is much worse.
Q: The SBU keeps framing people and [former Party of Regions members] are being killed. How can we normalize the relationship with Ukraine under these conditions?
Putin: Today, Russia doesn't expect anything from Kyiv except for one thing: "Treat us as equal partners in every way." They have to respect the rights of people who consider themselves Russians regardless of what their passport says. That's true for any country.
Putin on wether Boris should buy Elena a dog
Putin: Military men are real heroes but sometimes they don't understand the better sex. That said I can't tell your husband what to do. Maybe we can work out an action plan. Perhaps we can ask Boris together, in a friendly way. On the other hand Elena may say, "I'll do what you say, my husband" and he'll surprise her with an elephant and a fur coat.
An angry commuter
Aleksei: You promised to set the commuter train schedule in order, but it never happened in our area. Our commuter train was cancelled a year ago. How can young people live in the village if there are no trains?
Putin: My only answer is that I agree with you. It's "completely unacceptable." We'll dig deeper into details. But commuter transportation is a loss-making enterprise. The whole infrastructure was raised. Regions were not able to pay. Of course I was angry. No one had made a forecast for that or analyzed the unintended consequences. I will definitely look into this.
Putin says perhaps the government should help such people, but aid shouldn't be higher than those who take it out in rubles.
Anchor steps up in mortgage-takers defense. Says some banks don't give loans in rubles.
Putin on lifting ban of S-300 missile sales to Iran. Seems to blame Medvedev for original ban.
Putin: In 2010 Medvedev suspended a deal agreed to in 2006. But Iranians have demonstrated flexibility so we have decided to make this decision. Sanctions don't include military weapons like S-300s. Suspending the sales earlier was a goodwill gesture on our part.
On Israel: This is not a threat to Israel -- this is defensive, not offensive equipment.
(Israel says the S-300s will allow Iran to protect nuclear sites from air strikes. Putin announced the lifting of the ban on Monday)
Farmer says "we're not talking about markets...we want to be closer to consumers...cities could provide us with kiosks."