DIVERSIFICATION AGAIN...
Putin is talking about diversification of the economy again. We've been hearing this forever but they never do it. Why? Because a true diversification of the economy would, by definition, lead to more economic pluralism -- and sooner or later, to political pluralism. And this is unacceptable to the current elite. This is the paradox. The economy needs diversification. The political system can't tolerate it. Economics is hostage to politics.
He added that he was glad to see Putin smiling.
Putin: In our country, bureacracy is nothing compared to bureacracy in the European Union.
WHATABOUTISM ALERT!
Putin asked about bureaucracy. He says there is bureaucracy in the EU too -- and its worse than in Russia.
Putin appears to refer to use of police to intimidate businesses:
We have to stop using law enforcement agencies to punish everyone who we don't like.
Putin calls NATO expansion the new Berlin wall
Putin: Isn't NATO expansion a wall? Isn't expanding NATO creating a new wall. Our partners did not stop. They decided they were winners, that they were an empire and all other countries were vassals.
RUBLE STILL FALLING...
Down to 62.17
Putin on Savchenko:
Our position is absolutely transparent. The colleagues of the journalists who died fulfilling their professional duty in Ukraine are here today. The journalists who died here did not take part in military actions. They were unarmed. It is the responsibility of every state structure to provide for their health and security. However, those people were murdered and according to our law enforcement agencies it was Savchenko who targeted them. If it turns out she was not guilty we'll release her immediately -- if it turns out she was guilty the Russian court will take the appropriate decision.