Putin, without evidence, claims that investigative report pointing to the FSB in Navalny's poisoning is a fabrication and the "legalization" -- or laundering -- of U.S. intelligence assertions.
Next question is about the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the future of relations with Ukraine. Putin says the future of relations depends primarily on the government of Ukraine. Says the Zelenskiy government promised to resolve the conflict, but after it came to power it came under the influence of "extreme nationalist forces."
Putin praises the current cease-fire in the Donbas, but says nothing has been done regarding political and economic settlements. Blames Kyiv for not implementing the Minsk agreements.
Putin says a settlement is inevitable, but when it will happen depends on Kyiv. Says Russia has been "helping" the Donbas and intends to increase its support.
As before, Putin does not refer to Aleksei Navalny by name; calls him 'the patient.'
Now answers Navalny question, calling him "the patient at a Berlin clinic." Says he has answered this question many times. "We perfectly well understand that this report is the legalization of information from American spy agencies," he says. Says "the patient" is supported by U.S. secret services. Claims that he personally gave the order for Navalny to be released to Germany "the very moment" that he was asked. Says that we should judge Navalny by who his "partner" is. Putin says people should show their worth through "concrete deeds" and he calls all government opponents to think not about their personal ambitions, but about the good of the country.
- By Mike Eckel
Putin riffs off a question about Russian hackers and cyberintrusions in the United States to offer some lukewarm praise for President-elect Joe Biden:
"He's an experienced man. I hope that problems that arose under the current administration will be solved."
Putin waited six weeks after the November 3 election to congratulate Biden on his victory, waiting only (like many Republican lawmakers) until the Electoral College confirmed the win on December 14.
In 2016, Putin was among the first leaders to congratulate President Trump, just hours after Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, conceded the election (and WELL before the Electoral College met).
Next question is about recent journalistic investigations, including one about Putin's alleged former son-in-law and one about the poisoning of Aleksei Navalny. Question is, who killed Navalny?
Putin says such false reports are very common these days. Putin says that "reading such material is impossible," regarding his former son-in-law. Putin picks out a few alleged details that he claims are wrong. Does not deny that Shamalov was his son-in-law. Says the "main thing" is that the information in the report came from anonymous hackers.
Says this reminds him of the hack of the Democratic Party in 2016 and says both hacks were carried out by U.S. secret services. Says the "goal is clear" -- "revenge" and "an attempt to influence Russia's internal politics."
Next question is "why weren't Russian hackers able to secure the reelection of U.S. President Trump" and will Russia give Trump political asylum? Putin says the question is a "provocation." Says Russian hackers have never interfered in U.S. affairs and that such claims are aimed at ruining relations between the two countries and weakening Trump's political position. Putin hopes the new U.S. president, who is "experienced," will settle problems in relations. Putin says Trump won't need any help because he still has a large following and does not plan to leave U.S. politics.
- By Mike Eckel
Trash.
Sixth question is about trash (garbage) from a reporter from Magnitorgorsk.
This is a surprisingly stubborn and emotional issue that has had political resonance for years now, as Russians in various regions fight proposals for landfills and similar trash disposal locations.
The northern region of Shiyes has seen some of the most longstanding protests, over a landfill there, and it's become shorthand for the larger national question of what to do with cities' and towns' trash.
More broadly, environmental issues regularly galvanize Russians in a way that many other political issues do not.
Putin also asked his own question: about air pollution in Magnitorgorsk, a city in the Ural Mountains.
The city, which is home to a massive steel smelter, is known for some of the country's worst air pollution, though the reporter who responded said she didn't think it was bad as people were making it sound.