Putin says Russian courts are independent, but he thinks the 7-year sentence is pretty harsh and plans to look into the case. Anticipates the appeals court will give a just decision.
Next question is from RT, which Peskov reminds us is criticized in the West for being Kremlin propaganda. Reporter says the U.S. claims to be the most democratic country in the world, but now even average Americans are expressing doubts about democracy in the U.S. What does Putin think about this? Also asks about a woman who got a 7-year prison sentence for sending an SMS about Russian troop movements in 2008.
Reporter also asked about the Eurasian Economic Union. Putin said all countries should benefit from membership in the EEU. Says Kyrgyzstan has had some problems bringing its agricultural production up to standards and that has hindered it from benefiting fully. But he says participation in the EEU is useful for all members. Putin says Russia and Kazakhstan are giving Kyrgyzstan administrative and financial help to bring it up to standards.
This just in from Reuters, apropos to Putin's claim that it's "unthinkable" Russia had a state-sponsored doping program:
Twenty-eight Russian athletes who took part in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi face disciplinary proceedings over possible manipulation of their urine samples, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday.
The step follows publication earlier this month of the second and final part of the World Anti-Doping Agency's independent McLaren report into Russian doping.
It found more than 1,000 Russian competitors in more than 30 sports were involved in an institutional conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests over the course of five years.
The IOC said on Friday that in the case of the 28 athletes being investigated, there was "evidence of manipulation of one or more of their urine samples" collected at the 2014 Sochi Games for doping tests.
The IOC added that the 28 cases were not considered positive doping tests but "the manipulation of the samples themselves could lead to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and sanctions."
IOC president Thomas Bach said: "This is the immediate follow-up to Professor (Richard) McLaren's Report.
"The IOC will go beyond the findings of the (McLaren) report by re-analysing all the samples of all the Russian athletes who participated in the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 as well as all those who participated in the Olympic Games London 2012."
Putin says there should be stricter laws on the abuse of animals and he supports that.
Next question is about whether to create a government commission on the rights of animals.
Putin attacks the "centralization" of the European Union, saying it passes more regulations than the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union used to. Says it "up to Europe" to decide if this is good or note. Says countries like Poland and Hungary have to discuss such matters with Brussels. Says Russia is interested in good relations with Europe and hopes that Europe can speak "with one voice." But if that can't happen, Russia will develop bilateral relations with individual countries. Says Russia is not interested in internal matters of the development of the EU.