Without naming him, Putin appears to accuse Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow's WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory, who fled to the United States and leveled charges of state-sponsored Russian doping against Moscow, of fabricating the whole thing:
"The man, I do not remember his name, who raised the issue used to work in Canada. He was traveling from Canada to Russia sneaking all that junk in here and forcing our athletes to use it. If they refused, he coerced them. And then, when it became hard for him to continue that, he fled [abroad] and organized that leak.... It looks like somebody was leading him."
Putin says WADA's work must be transparent and verifiable. Asks why "everything is being done in secret" and calls for openness. Says there is definitely a "political component" in all this and it must be eliminated both in the realms of sport and of culture, which should "unite people instead of dividing them."
"Sports should be separated from politics, from geopolitics. Because sports should bring people together, not divide them."
Next question is about debt relief for Russian regions. Does the government plan to support regions that don't take debts but live on their own resources?
Putin says the government supports all regions, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. Mentions transport assistance to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Power Vertical's Brian Whitmore weighs in:
One thing I am watching for is how much Putin would appear triumphant and treat his annual presser like a victory lap. Well, we just got an early indication.
In what was clearly a well-rehearsed answer, Putin openly gloated about the antiestablishment mood sweeping the West. He said the fact that a large number of U.S. Republicans and Western conservatives sympathize with him shows that many people are unhappy with how the world is being run and support Russia's support for "traditional values." He poked the U.S. Democrats for blaming their defeat in the elections on Russian interference, noting that they lost not only the presidency, but Congress as well. "Is that my fault, too?" he taunted. He noted that a record number of electors defected from Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College. And he chided Barack Obama, claiming he is dividing Americans and contrasted him with FDR, who united Americans. Putin is clearly basking in what he thinks is a season of victories.
Putin says that problem of regional debt is a serious one, more than 2 trillion rubles. Government is taking steps to resolve the problem, including sending money to help regions pay their debts and long-term credits. This will continue next year.
Next question is from the BBC, asking in English. Says Russia has been accused of hacking attacks and interfering with the presidential election in the US. Obama has said he "warned" Putin personally not to interfere in the election. Did this really happen? Also asks if he fears a new arms race in the face of Trump's comments on nuclear arms.
Putin says there could be a new arms race if either side develops anti-missile systems, again stress that U.S. withdrawal from the ABM is the biggest potential source of a new arms race. Emphasizes again that Russia's military modernization is in complete accord with Russia's international obligations. "We continue to perfect our nuclear triad" including in overcoming any possible missile defense. Says the U.S. and Britain are also modernizing their nuclear weapons. Says Russia is not to blame for any emerging arms race.