Murder of Ukrainian journalist Oles Buzina was announced by Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Gerashenko 16 minutes ago. Made it into the Putin Q and A within 10 minutes. Some reporters look shocked.
Q: We liberated these nations [talking about Europe]; they would be saluting Hitler were it not for us...then why do they disrespect us like this? How should we respond?
Putin: We'll always respect their decisions. If they wish to show respect to the victims of Nazis and pay tribute to those who fought, then we welcome them (referring to V-Day celebrations on May 9, which many Western leaders are refusing to attend.).
Putin asked about IS threat to Russia, turns it back on U.S.
Question: There are Russian citizens fighting with Islamic State militants. How serious is this threat? Is Russia capable of withstanding this?
Putin: Let me point out that in Iraq there was an undemocratic regime but no terrorism. But after the U.S. killed Saddam Hussein and destroyed the country others had no way to survive. They joined extremist organizations and set up IS, including military officers.
There is no direct threat but it does concern us. These people hold our passports and can come back.
Echo Moskvy editor-in-chief about political assasinations, including of Boris Nemtsov.
Putin doesn't address the Nemtsov murder question further.
Venediktov also asks about the bridge where Nemtsov was shot. He asks why flowers in Nemtsov's murder keep being removed.
Putin says he has no problem with flowers on the bridge and will talk to city authorities about it.
Putin: Crimea was different because human lives are on the line, but of course I will work to settle this situation.
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