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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)

10:44 23.12.2016
10:45 23.12.2016

Putin says the Karlov assassination won't hurt Russia-Turkey ties.

10:47 23.12.2016

In a clear swipe at NATO, Putin alleges that "extremists" are "deeply entrenched" in the alliance member Turkey's army.

10:48 23.12.2016

Regarding Aleppo, Putin says Turkey and Iran have played a major role there and credits Russia for coordinating this trilateral intervention. Putin says the three countries are carrying out the biggest humanitarian operation in the world and all of it is based on the cooperation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Also mentions the help of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Putin calls for a cease-fire agreement on the entire territory of Syria and the beginning of political process there -- proposes Kazakh capital, Astana, as the site for such a process.

10:49 23.12.2016

Next question is on various fees (for medical care, education services, parking, etc.), which he says are basically like paying higher taxes.

10:49 23.12.2016

In regards to Ukraine question:

10:49 23.12.2016
10:50 23.12.2016

Putin says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Iran, and Turkey all agree on Astana, in Kazakhstan, as a venue for Syria talks.

10:50 23.12.2016

Questioner asks about parking. Potty break, everyone!

10:53 23.12.2016

Putin sees a difference between taxes and non-tax fees. Putin says taxes in Russia are among the lowest in the world. Says low tax rates have reduced tax evasion and increased budget revenues. As for non-tax fees, Putin says he doesn't know about them "in detail" because they are established on the regional and municipal levels. Says government needs to look into this. Says register of such payments will be compiled by next June.

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