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Russian President Vladimir Putin's 12th annual press conference was staged in front of around 1,500 selected journalists in Moscow, many of whom wave signs to try to get their questions addressed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's 12th annual press conference was staged in front of around 1,500 selected journalists in Moscow, many of whom wave signs to try to get their questions addressed.

Live Blog: Putin's Annual Press Conference

The Russian president fields selected questions on domestic and international affairs, with the country showing signs it might pull out of recession in 2017 and Russia's military supporting Assad in Syria and separatists in eastern Ukraine.

-- At his press conference with selected journalists on December 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin downplayed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tweet on nuclear capabilities as "nothing new" but warned of the threat of a new arms race with the United States if any side develops antimissile systems.

-- Putin also paraphrased Trump on the election-hacking question, saying, "How would we know it was Russia ...[and not] someone lying on a sofa who did it?"

-- He vowed that the assassination this week of Russia's ambassador to Ankara, Andrei Karlov, would not damage Russia-Turkey ties.

-- Putin downplayed the possibility of an early Russian presidential election in 2017, saying, "It is possible, but inexpedient." He left open whether he would run for a fourth term.

-- Putin cited "reasons for optimism" on Russia's economy and an "overall positive dynamic" based on 0.6 percent economic contraction in 2016.

-- On doping in sports, Putin called it "unthinkable" that Russia had any state program for doping (despite mounting evidence in multiple reports from international athletic groups, including another damning announcement today).

* NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Moscow (GMT/UTC +3)

09:27 23.12.2016

Putin gives a long and positive overview of the work of regional banks with the central bank to help local businesses. Praises cooperation between central bank and local officials in Tatarstan.

09:25 23.12.2016

Putin: Where would we be without Tatars?

09:24 23.12.2016

Next question is about support for small business, including helping banks to provide entrepreneurs with loans.

09:23 23.12.2016

Putin interrupts Peskov and personally calls on a "Tatar" reporter.

09:22 23.12.2016
09:21 23.12.2016

Putin says Russia exports $14.5 billion in weapons and $7 billion in IT products. Says Russia is doing well in space and aviation sectors.

09:20 23.12.2016

Putin says that Russia is investing less in high-tech sectors than other developed economies. Says government has a plan to develop technology sectors through 2025. Notes high-tech and IT zones that have tax and other benefits.

09:19 23.12.2016

Putin says it is hard to convince business to invest in other sectors when it is so much easier to make profits in the resources/energy sectors.

09:19 23.12.2016
09:18 23.12.2016

Next question: is Russia falling behind permanently in the area of high technology and information technology?

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