Russian President Putin Takes Questions In His Annual Call-In Show -- News Roundup

IBTimes: Putin Call-In Show: Russian President Talks Panama Papers, Syria, Economy

Panama Papers were leaked by lawyers and not journalists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while answering one of the approximately 2.5 million questions submitted by citizens during an annual call-in show Thursday. The papers exposed several offshore accounts connected of world leaders, including some of Putin’s close associates.

Putin said that reports about offshore accounts in Panama were a “provocation” and the German newspaper behind the exposé was obliged to Goldman Sachs, a U.S. bank, Reuters reported. He added that American authorities were behind the leaks and media reports were prepared to spread doubts about individuals.

The 63-year-old added that the Panama Papers leak was all about “hints and speculation.”

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Russian President Putin Takes Questions In His Annual Call-In Show

Vladimir Putin Holds Annual Call-In Marathon (Live Blog) -- Moscow Times
The Latest: Putin: US must treat Russia as an equal -- AP
Top quotes from Putin’s 2016 Q&A -- RT
5 of Putin's LOL quotes during annual Q&As -- RT
Putin's Annual Call-In: Brightest Quotes -- Moscow Times

Russian President Putin's comments in annual phone-in -- Reuters
Putin seeks to charm, insists Russian economy on the mend -- AP
During Call-in, Putin Airs Views on US, Syria, Economy, Potholes -- VOA
From Panama Papers To Porridge: 7 Things We Learnt From Putin’s Marathon Phone-In -- IBTimes
Putin Takes Questions From Russian Public In Annual Call-In Show -- NPR
Putin’s Annual Q&A Takes In Rosneft, Single Life -- WSJ
Putin the Micromanager Focuses on Home Front as Elections Loom -- Bloomberg
Putin says foreign powers should not dictate terms to Russia -- Reuters

Russian President Putin On The Russian Economy

Putin says shares Russians' pain over economic hardship -- Reuters
Russian economy in 'grey' zone but reasons for optimism: Putin -- AFP
Putin insists Russian economy on the mend -- AP
Putin Calls For Change in Russian Economic Structure -- Sputnik
Russia's Putin says Western sanctions to remain in near future -- Reuters
Putin does not rule out introduction of single currency within EAEU in future -- TASS

Russian President Putin On The Panama Papers

Putin: Panama Papers data correct, but no one is accused -- TASS
Russia's Putin: Panama papers are 'provocation' -- Reuters
Putin: Panama Papers is an American plot to destabilize Russia -- CNN
Russia's Putin says Panama Papers are authentic but show no wrongdoing -- Washington Post
Putin admits Panama Papers 'accurate,' blames US -- AFP
Putin Sees U.S., Goldman Sachs Behind Leak of Panama Papers -- Bloomberg

Russian President Putin On The U.S.

Putin calls Obama ‘decent man’ for confessing Libya was his ‘greatest mistake’ -- RT
Putin attacks 'imperial ambitions' of US during annual marathon TV show... and can’t resist a swipe at Obama by praising his 'strong' decision to admit Libya was the worst mistake of his presidency -- Daily Mail
Vladimir Putin slams U.S. 'imperial ambitions' on call-in show -- USA Today
Russia's Putin says U.S. Obama didn't learn lessons from Iraq -- Reuters
Putin calls Obama ‘decent man’ for remarks on mistakes in Libya -- Washington Post
Putin calls Obama decent person for his remarks on mistakes in Libya -- TASS
Putin calls Obama 'decent' on Libya admission in lengthy Q&A session -- UPI
Vladimir Putin Heaps Praise on Obama, but Dodges on Clinton vs. Trump -- ABC news
Putin: Russia's Problem Isn't Clinton or Trump, It's America's 'Imperial Ambitions' -- Alec Luhn, VICE

Russian President Putin On Syria

Putin says Syria army in 'strong position' despite Russian drawdown -- BBC
Russia closely watching situation around Aleppo — Putin -- TASS
Syrian Army Currently Able to Conduct 'Serious Offensive Operations' -- Sputnik
Putin admits many drawbacks revealed in Russian combat equipment operation in Syria -- TASS
Russia Uncovers Flaws in Some Military Equipment During Syria Campaign -- Sputnik
Putin Expresses Hope Syria Ceasefire to Lead to Political Resolution -- Sputnik
Russia's Putin says Syrian people must engage in political talks -- Reuters

Russian President Putin On The Kurds

Russia's Putin pledges support for Syrian Kurds -- Reuters
President Putin praises Peshmarga; confirms cooperation -- RUDAW

Russian President Putin On Turkey

Putin: Ankara 'not so much fights radicals as cooperates with them,' civil war underway in Turkey -- RT
Putin says Turkey is unsafe for Russian holiday-makers -- Reuters
Putin Doubts Turkey Can Ensure Tourists’ Safety -- Novinite
Putin: No solution to problem of ensuring Russian tourists’ security in Egypt found -- TASS
Putin: Turkey is Russia’s friend, but there are problems with certain politicians -- APA

Russian President Putin On Ukraine

Putin believes there will be no military action in east Ukraine -- Reuters
Putin says in contact with Kiev over imprisoned Ukrainian pilot -- Reuters
Putin says Ukraine fails to implement Minsk deal -- TASS
Putin says West should influence Ukraine to fulfill Minsk peace deal -- Ukraine Today

Russian President Putin On Nagorno-Karabakh

Russia's Putin: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict needs long-term solution -- Reuters
Putin says Russia will do everything to find solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- Azer News
Putin says Russia interested in resolving Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- APA

Russian President Putin On Chechen Leader Kadyrov

Putin: Kadyrov needs to realize responsibility for forming attitude to political opponents -- TASS
Chechen Leader Kadyrov Certain Republic Must Remain Part of Russia - Putin -- Sputnik

Russian President Putin On The Kuril Islands

Putin expects compromise on disputed Kuril Islands will be found one day -- TASS
Putin could visit Japan, as island row lingers -- AFP

Russian President Putin On The Defense/Security Budget

Putin says Russia will not cut state defense procurement -- Reuters
Russia cut budgeting of defense ministry, law enforcement agencies — Putin -- TASS
Putin Confident Russia to Continue Selling Arms to International Partners -- Sputnik

Russian President Putin On Running For Re-Election

Putin Says too Early to Speak of Running for President in 2018 -- Sputnik
Russia's Putin says too early to say if he will seek new term in 2018 -- Reuters
No One Doubts Effectiveness of Russia's Central Election Commission - Putin -- Sputnik
Woman May Be Better President of Russia - Putin -- Sputnik

Russian President Putin On His Personal Life

Coy Putin laughs off remarriage question in annual phone-in -- AFP
A new Russian first lady? Putin is not saying - yet -- Reuters
Putin Tells Russians They May Meet a New First Lady Someday
-- Bloomberg
'I Will Definitely Visit Crimea for Holidays' - Putin -- Sputnik