John Bonar
Putin's News Conference Part 2 - Adoptions, agriculture and Gerard Depardiue
This transcript is provided by the Presidential Press Office
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE AND PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SECRETARY DMITRY PESKOV: Mr President, we could start with questions and answers, if you don’t mind.
VLADIMIR PUTIN: Mr Peskov will help us to warm up at the start. To find our bearings, and then we will move on to direct communication.
DMITRY PESKOV: I know someone of you by name, but not all of you, so please introduce yourselves, state your city and media outlet.
Go ahead, please.
QUESTION: Ksenia Sokolova, Snob magazine.
Putin's News Conference verbatim - Part 1
THE news conference took place at the World Trade Centre on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment on 20/12/2012
This transcript is provided by the Presidential Press Office. Part 1 is President Putin's opening remarks
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADIMIR PUTIN:Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased that the media has shown such interest in today’s event. Greetings to all of you. I know that there are many journalists from the Russian regions here. I will try to answer your questions as far as possible and tell you my perception of the outgoing year’s results. (Can everyone hear me all right?) As usual, I will begin by citing some figures. They are widely known but I have the most recent data, so I think that you will find it interesting.
Putin says failed pipeline deal was strategic error by Ukraine
Ukraine committed a strategic error several years ago when it refused to rent out its Soviet-era gas transportation system to Russia and the European Union, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
“We believe Ukraine committed a strategic, fundamental mistake. We offered jointly with the Europeans to take Ukraine’s gas transportation system on lease, without breaching Ukrainian legislation while keeping it in Ukraine’s ownership,” Putin said at an annual Q&A session in Moscow.
Putin Defends Own Record, Criticizes US in Marathon Q&A
Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected allegations Thursday that he had constructed an “authoritarian regime” during his years in power, touting the country’s stability and adding that hehad not made any major mistakes he would want to fix.
“I cannot call this system authoritarian,” he told over 1,000 Russian and foreign journalists in a wide-ranging, four-and-a-half-hour news conference in Moscow, which included heated criticism of the United States and comments on topics ranging from the crisis in Syria to the end of the world.
Changes in Russian work permit requirements for some foreign workers
Russia moves to retetaliate against 'Magnitsky Act'
In a retaliatory move to the so-called 'Magnitsky Act' enacted by US President Barack Obama late last week, Moscow is going to pass legislation banning American citizens from adopting Russian children and suspending political activity of those non-governmental organizations funded by the USA, Russian mass media are reporting today.
Russia and the Arab Winter: Foreign and domestic dilemmas
by Gordon M. Hahn
As the Arab 'Spring' continues to devolve into an Islamist winter for Moscow and the U.S., both find themselves increasingly on the horns of multiple dilemmas. Russia's dilemma is rooted in its previously forced bet in favor of the Islamic world's Shiite populations over the Sunnis––which has been anchored in Russia’s trading partner and periodic support for Iran, a Shia nation. Unfortunately for the Kremlin, this bet was staked out just as a wave of revolutionary Sunni Islamism/Jihadism was rising across the ummah (Arabic for “nation” or “community,” but not necessarily a common ancestry or geography).
Russia can no longer afford to ignore the WTO: the devil's in the English
By Ian Mitchell
Friday 23rd: To the Golden Ring Hotel (Золотое Кольцо) on Smolensk Square opposite the gloomy mass of the Foreign Ministry, with its hidden treasury of “retro” art, for a conference hosted by the Russian Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs on the problems arising from Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organisation three months ago.
Sheremetyevo Airport claims $3mn from Ukrainian airline "Aerosvit"
JSC "Sheremetyevo International Airport" has filed a claim in the Arbitration Court of the Moscow region against the Ukrainian private joint stock company "Air company" Aerosvit " for a total of about 92 million roubles (nearly US$ 3 mn) for debts owed.
The petition requires the collection of debts, penalties and interest on borrowed funds by standard agreements for ground handling and the General Agreement.
Earlier Sheremetyevo suspended all flights by Aerosvit from December 10, 2012 citing default by the airline of its obligations for payment of bills for the provision of rport services and ground handling of flights.
Russia to support organic farming
Russia seriously considers an opportunity to take up the role of a supplier of organic products within the scope of the World Trade Organization. Russian lawmakers are working on the bill to support the production of organic agricultural products. This law will help Russian farmers enter the EU market with organic products.