State-funded RT focuses on Putin's remark that "betrayal is the biggest sin of all."
Next question is from the Vladivostok media center. Journalist asks about the protests in Khabarovsk Krai and across the region in support of arrested former Governor Furgal. Asks Putin if there has been any new information on the Furgal investigation (he is accused of involvement in several murders in the early 2000s).
Putin notes that Furgal's party, LDPR, still supports him. Putin says that he never had any problems personally with Furgal and praises his work. "But the accusations against him are very serious," Putin says. He is accused of being a member of an organized crime group and of organizing murders for commercial reasons.
Putin says the investigation is ongoing and he is not checking in with them. He says he understands that people are upset that Furgal was arrested, but what could be done?
"This is not political persecution, but a criminal matter," he says.
Notes that some members of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party have also been tried and convicted.
"Should we make exceptions for some particular party?" he asks. Claims the law treats everyone equally, including Furgal.
- By Mike Eckel
Andrei Kolesnikov, a well-known correspondent for Kommersant (and a quintessential Kremlin insider) appears to give a gentle scolding of Putin for the constitutional changes that give Putin the option to stay in power for another decade:
"Are you ready to become president again after 2024? What is this amendment about anyway?"
Putin responds: "I haven't made such a decision for myself, whether or not to stand for election in 2024."
Next question is about the amendment to the constitution that "nullified" Putin's first four terms as president and enables him to seek two more terms. Asks whether Putin plans to run for more terms. Same journalist asks about the case of military journalist Ivan Safronov, who is charged with treason.
As for the first question, Putin says he hasn't decided yet on more terms. Everything depends, he says, on what is good for Russia.
As for the Safronov case, Putin says the prosecutors must determine whether he divulged secrets or got his information from open sources. Putin says the case is not about Safronov's journalistic activity.
The Russian Foreign Ministry focuses on a remark from Putin about relations with the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Next question: "Among world leaders, which one has been the most difficult interlocutor for you?" Same journalist also asks about Nord Stream 2 pipeline project -- will it be finished?
Putin says there are no "convenient or inconvenient" interlocutors in international politics. They are all capable and qualified people pursuing their national interests.
"And I am the same," he said.
Praises China's President Xi. Praises Turkey's Erdogan as a "man who keeps his word" despite Russia's differences with Turkey.
As for Nord Stream 2, he says this is obviously a good project for Germany and Western Europe. Says American natural gas can't compete and would mean a spike in inflation in Europe. The project corresponds with the national interests of Europe, and particularly Germany.
Putin emphasizes it is "purely an economic project." Putin said the project is almost finished and will be finished soon. Expressed hope that new U.S. administration will "respect" Germany and engage in good-faith competition.
Here's the full clip of where Putin is asked about Aleksei Navalny and the recent Bellingcat investigation (in Russian):
Peskov notes that the press conference has already lasted more than 2 hours and everyone using a single-use mask should change theirs now.