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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)

11:36 23.12.2016

Next question is from the North Caucaus. Asks if it would be good to ban mass media from using the phrase "Islamic state."

11:36 23.12.2016

More signs. “Thanks to the Russian people” reads this one.

11:36 23.12.2016

Putin says it isn't possible to ban media using the phrase "Islamic state," but that he doesn't like it when people associate Islam with terrorism.

11:38 23.12.2016
11:41 23.12.2016

Backing up a bit, here was Putin on the European Union, beginning with a presumed snub aimed at Washington:

"We want to have a reliable and strong partner...without a third country's involvement. European Union member-states have some differences in various issues, such as migration flows, etc. They are resolving those differences themselves. We do not want to be involved. Is the European Union a single independent state or a quasi-federation? We cooperate with some EU countries separately, in some matters we cooperate with the European Commission.... But again, EU issues are not our business."

11:41 23.12.2016
11:42 23.12.2016

Next question is from a reporter from a reporter from Kurdistan. Says that Russia plays an important role in the world and the Middle East. Asks what is Russia's position regarding the Kurdish region in Iraq and its desire for independence.

11:43 23.12.2016

A question from Kurdistan 24 TV channel.

11:44 23.12.2016

Putin says Russia has always had good relations with the Kurdish people despite their difficult history. Praise Kurdish fighters for their contribution to the war against terrorism. Putin says he respects international law and encourages Iraq and the Kurds to negotiate how the rights of Kurds can be protected. Says Russia will not interfere with the internal affairs of Iraq.

11:45 23.12.2016

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