President Vladimir Putin has held his annual end-of-year press conference, where he discussed a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, including relations with the US, the situation in Syria and the upcoming Russian presidential elections.
Note: These comments are updated live and are the closest approximation to the statements made. They may be edited or updated later to reflect more accurately what President Putin said.
14 December 2017
At just under the four-hour mark, it's announced that Putin is scheduled to meet 'Heroes of Russia' at the Kremlin at 4pm, so proceedings must be brought to a close.
Putin closes by wishing everyone all the best for the new year and holiday season, and thanks the media for their work.
A question comes from Kazakhstan about cooperation with Russia.
Putin notes digital technology cooperation is as important as other areas such as energy.
We're now well over three and a half hours in, and some participants appear to lack the president's stamina...
A participant from the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok asks Putin about the development of the region, including the distribution of free land.
Putin laments the abuse of the scheme by some, but says things are being "put in order" in the Far East regarding criminality in general. He also promises to look into the situation with a local sports center - showing a typical attention to detail.
Putin asks for another question on children.
A journalist from Grozny thanks Putin for his help in rescuing children who have been taken to conflict zones.
"Should children and mothers be given the chance to return to normal?" the journalist asks.
"[Chechen leader] Ramzan Kadyrov has taken the right approach in this respect," Putin says. "These children and women should be welcomed back."
The next question is about abortion in Russia. "Is the government willing to help the pro-life movement?" Putin is asked.
"I'm grateful for you to ask about this, it's important," Putin says. "I'll repeat what I said at a recent meeting. As far as abortions, in most modern countries today, it is up to the woman to make this decision.
"If there was a total ban, we'd eventually have a criminal trade in this - women would go abroad, there would be illegal abortions... it does immense damage to women's health, so we have to be careful.
"We are willing to support pregnant women, of course," Putin adds.
The president then lists new plans for benefits for families with children and maternity benefits.
An Afghan journalist asks about the recent Putin-Trump call on the country.
"What are the prospects of working with the US in Afghanistan?" he asks.
"This is one area we could unite efforts with the US," Putin says.
"We see a growing terrorist threat coming from Afghanistan... groups are taking more territories in the north, near Tajikistan for example, where we have a base.
"We are ready to provide support to Afghanistan... including to combat the production of drugs that end up in Russia.
"We're ready to work with the US on these issues."
A series of questions on Russian oil. One journalist says there is a "selective approach" on oil resources - claiming Putin ally Igor Sechin, head of Rosneft, is the beneficiary of the main decisions in this area.
Putin notes that the Ministry of Energy makes these decisions, not him personally.
A question on Iraqi Kurdistan and relations with Russia.
"The Iraqi Kurds had a referendum on independence... the leader then said the decision should be delayed... that was not our decision," Putin says. "We believe there should be no drastic moves... you need to respect the position of Iraq.
"Russian companies operate there... overall we've had good, trustworthy relations with the Kurds," Putin adds.
On relations with the US president, Putin says: "I'm on good terms with Trump... I think we'd use what you'd refer to as the informal way of addressing each other... I hope that gradually he will have more opportunities to improve ties with Russia, and fulfill his election promises in this respect."
Questions from RT's own Ilya Petrenko: "Would you use formal or informal terms of address with President Trump?"
Petrenko also asks about the case of a Russian farmer who was tried for putting a GPS tracker on his cow.
Putin starts by saying that he is not aware of any ban on such actions, and that he doesn’t understand what the issue is all about. “I need to look into it,” Putin says.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov notes we have now hit the three-hour mark for the conference.
The discussion shifts back to fishing issues. Putin is asked about potential freezes on catching certain species to protect them, but balancing that with protecting livelihoods. Putin agrees a balance is required.
Putin: "I said the opposition needs positive proposals - what are you offering?"
"The people you mentioned are the Russian versions of Mikhail Saakashvili... Do you want Russia moving from one Maidan-style situation to another?" Putin says, referring to the events in Ukraine. "Most Russians don't want that."
"Opposition candidates are not allowed to run... they face problems," Sobchak says, mentioning fellow opposition figure Aleksey Navalny.
"People are afraid to give us facilities... why is the Kremlin afraid of opposition?"
Socialite Ksenia Sobchak - a presidential hopeful for the 2018 election - has the microphone.
"This is the only opportunity I have to ask you a question," she says. "You do not participate in debates."
Putin addresses the angry businessman, and promises to invite him to a meeting on the fishing and processing issue.
"I'm on your side," Putin says. "We will look into your concerns."
A rather irate attendee asks a question about fishing quotas.
"I pretended to be a journalist to be here," the man says, who is a fisheries representative.
Putin says the legal system needs to be strengthened, but that he's not aware that Sechin specifically broke the law in any way concerning the trial against former Economic Minister Aleksey Ulyakayev. Ulyakayev is currently facing corruption charges over allegations he tried to solicit bribes from Rosneft, the oil giant headed by Sechin.
The Ekho Moskvy radio station asks a question through Tatiana Felgengauer - who was attacked and stabbed at the station's Moscow studio in October. She receives a short round of applause from the audience.
Felgengauer asks about the "rule of law" and "different realities" for different people in Russia - naming Rosneft chief Igor Sechin.
Putin says the areas to focus on are new points for medical services, and new medical hubs for areas with smaller populations through mobile centers.
Citing increasing Russian life expectancy, Putin says this also means more money is needed for treatment.
Putin picks up his answer on healthcare: "We've accomplished a lot with services... we've reduced infant mortality rates, traffic accident mortality rates... we've made some progress on cancer, but not as much as we'd like to..."
The discussion returns to domestic issues, specifically healthcare. A local journalist laments the situation with the emergency services.
"I said that healthcare is one of the key issues," Putin says - before being interrupted with a question about government officials making trips abroad for healthcare.
On Syria and terrorism in general:
"In Syria, all the parties involved should resist the temptation to take advantage of short-term political goals.
"We see that terrorists are escaping Syria to Iraq and the US doesn't hit them because they may want to use them later against [Syrian President Bashar] Assad... That's very dangerous."
Putin on his recent trip to Khmeimim Airbase in Syria: "It was obvious to me I had to go there... The current security situation allowed me to take such a trip."
Putin now addresses the several questions on Syria he has been asked, including on young Syrian refugees.
"Turkey is suffering from the bulk of the Syrian refugee problem with the large camps there," Putin says.
"All good people around the world should realize that unless we address the Syrian refugee problem together, everyone will face issues... Terrorists recruit members from groups in poverty," Putin adds.
Another question on Syria is asked - "I don't think terrorism has been dismantled completely," a journalist says. "How can we completely destroy Islamic State?"
The discussion turns to Syria.
"What are the barriers to reconciliation in Syria?" Putin is asked.
"Why do we need Russian bases there, and could our Western counterparts misinterpret this?" is the accompanying question.
Putin chooses a question from a Polish TV station, which asks about the 2010 plane crash in Smolensk that killed President Lech Kaczyński. There is also a question about speculation that the crash was the result of "an explosion" by Russian agents
Putin dismisses the speculation as ridiculous. "The plane took off in Warsaw," Putin notes. "If that was the case, look at yourselves."
"We were mourning with you after the tragedy," Putin says. "We shouldn't politicize the issue to score political points."
"Russia-Poland relations are more important than short-term Polish politics," Putin says.
"The government has been performing well," Putin says. "The economic indicators show this."
"As regards the future, it's premature to talk about this - we should talk about it after the election. I have some ideas of course."
Continuing the theme of next year's Russian presidential election: what would Putin's team future look like, and what about the potential agenda?
"As for the Russian presidential next year, I have full confidence that cooperation with China is beyond any political agenda - we'll remain strategic partners for a long period of time," Putin says.
"Russia wants to take part in broader cooperation in Asia," Putin says.
"China is part of some major projects in the Arctic, we've just launched the first stage of the Yamal gas project - China is a major investor.
"We have another great project on high-speed transit, we support high-speed transit from China to Europe via Russia."
Still on China: "China wants to be a stable country and ensure development...China is a strategic and trade partner for Russia.
"Trade has been slightly down, but I'm sure it will pick up," Putin says.
Putin: "The recent decisions by the Chinese Communist Party are positive.
"Their position is similar to what we offer regarding Russia's position in the world."
A welcome return to broader issues, and two questions from China.
"How will next year's Russian elections affect relations with China?"
A separate question: "What are the prospects for developing Russian-Chinese relations?"
International readers will perhaps find this section of the conference heavy-going, given that the issues currently being discussed are very specific to Russian regions.
The questions turn to national utilities, and it's put to Putin that there are issues in this area - a statement he agrees with.
Putin criticizes the situation with property managers manipulating utility payments and charges.
Over two hours into the session, President Putin is still going strong.
A reminder that the record for the event is 4 hours, 40 minutes in 2008. Last year's conference came in at just under 4 hours.
Today's session shows no sign of winding down yet.
"We have a clear timeline for the EAEU and full liberalization [of trade]," Putin says.
The questions now turn to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.
Putin touts the benefits of the union, saying it is moving in the right direction.
"It's counterproductive to go against the will of the Ukrainian people," Putin says.
"But we need to find a solution that's good for both of us [Russia and Ukraine]."
On former Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili, currently in Ukraine, Putin says he has been "spitting in the face of Georgians and Ukrainians."
"Does Ukraine not have true Ukrainians?" Putin asks.
"Historically, fundamentally Russia and Ukraine are one and the same nation," Putin says.
Putin says Russia has consistently agreed with proposals for international monitoring in E. Ukraine, but that the Kiev authorities need to agree with the leaders of these territories, and that they have been avoiding this.
Putin returns to the aggressively-addressed question on the Russian role in Ukraine.
"There are local militia groups in Donbass ready to counter attacks in the area... we agree with this."
"Without these, Ukrainian nationalist battalions would start a massacre like Srebrenica there," Putin says.
"As for the US, it's a full-fledged member of the resolution process.. they are deeply engaged and have a lot of information. It's not up to us on whether they should formally join the Normandy Four Process, however," he says.
Putin is asked about the prospects for Ukraine.
"The current Kiev authorities have no desire to implement the Minsk Agreements," Putin says.
A question on Ukraine: Russian troops are in Donbass and have killed Ukrainians, a journalist says.
"Will you continue to pursue this absurd policy on so-called peacekeepers?" Putin is asked. "They are conducting a massacre."
The question is put aside, however.
"Both sides have to stop the tensions from rising.
"I think we heard the US would stop military drills, but no... they didn't."
"If North Korea launches its missiles, the situation will be catastrophic.
"We saw the situation when the US used its weapons in Japan [in WWII], which I think was unwarranted."
"On North Korea, we don't accept it as a nuclear country," Putin says.
"But the US has gone beyond previous deals [with North Korea]... and has provoked North Korea to withdraw from agreements."
"You are interesting people," Putin says. "Your senators are smart people with nice suits and ties, but they put us on the same level with certain countries that doesn't make sense."
"We do our best to work with everyone on critical issues," Putin says.
"We don't bear grudges, even if people make certain decisions."
Associated Press: "The US wants more Russian efforts on North Korea... Could cooperation on North Korea help relations with the US, or have you lost hope of cooperation with Trump?"
"We should stop unlimited growth of credit where regions take out commercial loans at high rates," Putin says. "Maybe there is collusion between local officials and commercial banks."
More questions on taxes, specifically regional finances and ensuring people across the country "can live equally well."
Putin notes there are 'donor' regions and 'subsidized' regions.
"Different regions develop differently, it's not people's fault if they need subsidies, we try to put people on a level playing field.
"It's only fair to redistribute the wealth."
Still on taxes, Putin discusses "conditional income" and says in some cases debts should be written off to ease the burden on the population.
"Taxes will not be increased until the end of 2018," Putin pledges. "After that, key areas - education, military - we're thinking hard about how to get cash for these projects, to adjust the tax system to make sure it works efficiently."
"At this point it's premature to talk about this," Putin says. "We will not make decisions behind closed doors."
"I don't agree about being misinformed," Putin bites back.
"The tax burden is increasing, but I have instructed the government to review this," he says.
Gazeta.ru asks the Russian leader another question on the economy, accusing the president of being "misinformed."
"What about tax increases - will we see increases in 2018?"
On agriculture, a question from a Siberian journalist about local crops: "We're ready to diversify our range of crops, but it's hard to know what the country needs - what about a central planning system again?"
Putin answers that government procurement programs can't be ruled out, even though he is against that.
The questions return to domestic economic issues and inflation.
"I can understand some of the criticism from businesses, but we need to avoid bubbles and 'cheap money'," the president says.
Putin also discusses the recent issues with RT and its operations in the US - "What about freedom of speech?" Putin asks.
On the issue of alleged cooperation with the Trump campaign.
"That's been invented by those aiming to de-legitimize Trump," Putin says.
"These people don't understand they are undermining their own country, they aren't showing respect for Americans that voted for Trump."
On contacts between Russian diplomats and Americans, Putin says it is standard practice for diplomats to talk - "What's so strange about this? Why do you have this 'Russia spy hysteria?'" Putin asks.
"It's up to the American people to assess Trump, not me," Putin says.
"But look at the markets, they are up, indicating investors trust him."
"We also respect the US opposition," Putin says.
"I don't know if Trump still has the same desire to cooperate closely with us, but I hope we can work closely on a range of issues," Putin adds.
The first question from foreign media.
ABC asks about the US probe into alleged contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia.
"How would you explain the number of contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia... and how would you asses the Trump presidency?"
"What we spend on the World Cup goes to developing infrastructure - everything will be top-quality and on time," Putin says.
The discussion turns to next year's FIFA World Cup in Russia.
"We have experience of holding major events," Putin says. "Things are on track, FIFA has been inspecting us."
"There is a delay with one stadium, but everything will be ready on time."
"So far we don't have enough grounds [for these bans against Russia]," Putin says.
"But it was clearly a mistake to appoint Rodchenkov [as head of the Moscow anti-doping lab]," he adds.
Putin says Rodchenkov openly says "money is the main object for him.... he is working with the FBI - he might be being drugged to say something, how do we know?"
Putin is asked about doping whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov - how can such a person have been the head of the anti-doping lab, given he had mental illness issues and suicidal tendencies?
"We need to work constructively with [the IOC and WADA]," Putin says. "But we will also work with the relevant courts to defend our athletes."
Now on sport, a question from local channel Match TV: "How will you communicate with the International Olympic Committee and WADA."
The recent decisions by the IOC and WADA are no coincidence given the Russian elections next year, Putin says.
But we have to be clear, we are "also to blame," Putin says, "there have been violations."
Putin outlines the arguments for and against raising the retirement age, concluding that "we need to do the calculations.. I'm not dodging the question, we just need to think of the effects... it should be a gradual step."
"No final decision has been taken yet," Putin says, "we need to debate this with the people and in parliament."
A journalist from Izvestiya asks about increasing the retirement age.
"This is a sensitive issue," Putin says. "I can't give you the final decision now... there are those in favor as well as against."
"The retirement age we have now was set back in the 1930s, when life expectancy was lower."
"We'd like all these gifted children to stay in Russia and work in Russia," the president says.
"We'd like to set up world-class 'laboratories' on biogenetics and cognitive sciences to work so that gifted children can unlock their potential - we are working on this," Putin says.
Putin is asked how the government supports "gifted children."
"Every child is gifted," Putin says. "It's the job of the parents and teachers to unlock this potential - this is not hackneyed."
The discussion turns to the Russian military budget. Putin again says: "we will not be dragged into an arms race."
"We don't plan to withdraw from any [missile treaty] ourselves," Putin says.
"If the US does so, this will be dangerous," he adds. "We will maintain our security, but without starting an arms race," Putin says.
"The US installed missiles in Romania, Aegis launchers there, moving them from sea to land," Putin says.
"We did not withdraw from fundamental missile treaties - the ABM treaty - the US did that," Putin says.
Putin is asked about missile agreements and the START Treaty - will it survive, and will there be a new arms race?
Another question from Rossiya 1 TV channel - which changes the topic to international affairs.
Security issues in the Arctic are also vital, Putin says. He recently had to remind someone that Franz Joseph Land is Russian, he adds.
The discussion turns to the Arctic.
A journalist from the Republic of Komi in the north of Russia asks about regional programs.
Putin says the government has a whole program about developing the area. "The Arctic will make Russia rich - that's where the resources are," Putin says.
He adds that environmental issues must be considered, though.
Goals on improving the situation with dilapidated housing and more kindergarten places are also being met, Putin says.
Russia's Perviy Canal (Channel 1) asks about Putin's 'May Decrees' of 5 years ago on various issues - what performance have we seen on those?
Putin says a lot of people complained at the time about the decrees, for example that they were unrealistic.
Putin notes that without setting benchmarks - such as wage increases - the situation would be much worse.
"We made the right decision," he says, "we've achieved 93-94% of them."
Putin is asked about potential abuse or corruption within the central banking system.
The president said the system operates independently, but regarding oversight, there are agencies that "keep an eye on them" and he monitors this. "No serious violations regarding the Central Bank have been uncovered," he says.
Putin notes that economic development must be balanced with environmental protection, however.
Still on the economy, Putin notes there have been "shocks" to overcome - naming oil price drops and sanctions.
Oil price falls affected the economy more than sanctions, the president says.
Putin suggests uniting several economic questions into one.
"It's obvious our economy is growing," he notes. "It's not some manipulation." Putin lists various areas of growth, including agriculture and pharmaceuticals - again demonstrating an impressive grasp of statistics in the process.
A journalist from the western exclave of Kaliningrad asks about specific local infrastructure.
Putin reiterates that government priority is to develop infrastructure in Russian regions, although finding new sources of income is often tricky.
A Russian journalist then asks "who Putin is" politically.
Putin says he would like to be seen as someone who enjoys broad support among the population.
Putin returns to the question of why he has a perceived a lack of political rivals in Russia.
He reels off some statistics on the Russian economy and health issues, and notes improvements in these areas.
"This has to mean something," he says. "The opposition needs proposals on how to make like better."
He says there are doubts among Russians that the opposition has realistic proposals on these things.
He adds he hopes an opposition figure appears, however.
Putin is asked why his popularity ratings remain sky-high, and if it's "boring" for him not to have a "viable rival."
He instead turns to a different question, and there's a light-hearted moment as Putin asks a person holding a placard reading 'Bye-bye Putin' to ask a a question. The journalist clarifies that it reads 'Babay Putin', affectionately meaning 'Grandpa Putin' in Tatar - to the laughter of the audience.
Putin answers a question about the various languages in Russian regions, and emphasizes that local cultures will be protected in all the regions.
'Govorit Moskva' radio station gets the first question.
The station asks what Putin's aim is for his next presidential campaign and term, should he win the election in 2018.
Putin says he will skip the introductions and wants to get straight down to business with the questions.
President Putin arrives to a polite round of applause and greets everyone.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov has entered the hall and has laid out the protocol for those in attendance.
A number of journalists are readying the placards they have prepared for the event, in the hope of catching the attention of the president's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, to ask a question. One placard reads: 'Russia-China:Main' with a picture of the respective nations' flags and a link between them.
The president is still to make an appearance.
We are moments away from the start of the session, and the hall is waiting in anticipation for President Putin to appear.
A record 1,640 journalists have been accredited for this year’s event in Moscow, up from 1,350 in 2016.
Most of the journalists accredited are from the Russian regions, although there is also a large contingent of foreign reporters.
Ksenia Sobchak, the Russian socialite who announced she will run against Putin in the 2018 presidential election, is among those accredited, and is representing Russia’s Dozhd television channel. Sobchak has attended the event in previous years.
President Putin is known for his stamina at the annual conference, with the 2008 event clocking in at a record four hours and 40 minutes. On that occasion, the Russian leader answered more than 100 questions.
The shortest conference so far was Putin’s first as president in 2001, which lasted 1 hour and 33 minutes.
Last year’s event came in at just under four hours.
Welcome to RT’s live updates from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual Q&A session.
Putin has held the annual press conference since 2001, apart from a break during his term as prime minister between May 2008 and May 2012.
Today’s event at Moscow’s World Trade Center is Putin’s last annual conference before he runs for reelection in March 2018.