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President Vladimir Putin holds his annual televised question-and-answer session in Moscow, April 17, 2014.
President Vladimir Putin holds his annual televised question-and-answer session in Moscow, April 17, 2014.

Live Blog: Putin's 'Direct Line' To The Nation

Final Summary

-- The annual "Direct Line with Vladimir Putin," in which the Russian president takes choreographed call-in questions from around Russia, is over. It lasted just under four hours (3:58)

-- Putin admitted that the so-called green men in Crimea were indeed Russian soldiers, but said they were just there to protect the integrity of the referendum vote.

-- Putin said he "hopes" he does not have to invade eastern Ukraine, but says Russia would be within its right to do so. He says the upcoming election in Ukraine cannot be seen as legitimate. He also consistently referred to eastern Ukraine as natural Russian land that had become part of Ukraine through errors of history.

-- Edward Snowden asked, through a recorded video, whether Russia used mass surveillance. Putin said Russia's surveillance is done only through legal means. He spoke to Snowden, he said, "in one professional [spy] language."

*Note: Times are stated in terms of local time in Moscow.
08:37 17.4.2014
Putin says "of course" there were Russian troops in Crimea.
Putin says he's already addressed this. We had to take measures to avoid radicals and nationalists, he said.
08:34 17.4.2014
Anchor: I will introduce some criticism. People wondering if Crimea will lose its identity with mansions, but no elementary services.

Putin: They have enough castles and mansions. What Crimea is missing is services for the masses. The [Ukrainian] oligarchs already built mansions for themselves. We will be different.
08:32 17.4.2014
Now this, for a Ukrainian perspective, as Putin continues on economic goals in Crimea.
08:30 17.4.2014
08:29 17.4.2014
Putin says all benefits people had when they were part of Ukraine will not be lost. Using additional subsidies from Crimean budget, those preferences will be kept. This will in addition to Russian entitlements.
08:27 17.4.2014
08:25 17.4.2014
08:23 17.4.2014
08:22 17.4.2014
Nina Georgyivna:

The situation in Ukraine is evolving in such a way that the borders divide our families. Unfortunately we have failed to understand each other. How can you ensure that our fraternal nations remain so.

Putin: If we love each other and respect each other we need to find a way to understand each other. I'm sure we'll find mutual understanding with Ukraine.

Let me point this out: If we respect each other, we have to respect each of our rights to our own choice. People in Ukraine have to respect the choice that residents of Crimea made.

Russia will always be Ukraine's close neighbor. If we want to be successful we have to cooperate and be together.
08:19 17.4.2014
First question from Sevastopol:

Civilian personnel concerned about Navy. What's the future of the Black Sea Fleet?

Putin: The fleet will be moved from Novorossiysk to Sevastopol.

Every Russian citizen knows Sevastopol is a city of military glory.

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