Putin: They are trying to chain the bear. And when they try to chain the bair, they take out his fangs and claws.
"If they succeed in this, the bear will just be a stuffed animal."
Putin on eastern Ukraine. Note that he doesn't deny he has sent troops
In our country, the president is held accountable for everything. As for the troops and their destiny the Commander in Chief is responsible for that [that's me]. All the people who want to fulfill their duty by their own will are not mercenaries -- they are not paid for those actions.
In public opinion, what has taken plast in the East is definitely punitive, but it was organized by [Ukrainian] authorities and noone else.
Let me explain: After the coup-d'etat -- it was definitely that, no matter what you say -- when using law enforcement didn't work out, they [Ukraine] sent the army. When that didn't work they applied other things, including economic blockaids. We are ready to participate as mediators and intermediaries.
Putin on Savchenko:
Our position is absolutely transparent. The colleagues of the journalists who died fulfilling their professional duty in Ukraine are here today. The journalists who died here did not take part in military actions. They were unarmed. It is the responsibility of every state structure to provide for their health and security. However, those people were murdered and according to our law enforcement agencies it was Savchenko who targeted them. If it turns out she was not guilty we'll release her immediately -- if it turns out she was guilty the Russian court will take the appropriate decision.
RUBLE STILL FALLING...
Down to 62.17
Putin calls NATO expansion the new Berlin wall
Putin: Isn't NATO expansion a wall? Isn't expanding NATO creating a new wall. Our partners did not stop. They decided they were winners, that they were an empire and all other countries were vassals.
Putin appears to refer to use of police to intimidate businesses:
We have to stop using law enforcement agencies to punish everyone who we don't like.
WHATABOUTISM ALERT!
Putin asked about bureaucracy. He says there is bureaucracy in the EU too -- and its worse than in Russia.
Putin: In our country, bureacracy is nothing compared to bureacracy in the European Union.