- By Mike Eckel
And we're live: RFE/RL's Live Blog for coverage of President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference. If past years are any judge, it should last at least a couple hours, so grab some popcorn.
The Kremlin says 1,895 journalists-- Russian and foreigners-- have been accredited to this year's event. Not all will attend, of course, but it's likely to be a big crowd.
RFE/RL reporters and editors, including from Current Time and RFE/RL's Russian Service, will be following along, offering commentary and observations and spot analysis.
You can watch it live online on state-run TV (albeit in original Russian).
Navalny Live, the YouTube channel operated by Russian opposition politician and blogger Aleksei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, will be offering running commentary of Putin's press conference. The channel promises "to tell the whole truth regarding our president's promises and high-profile statements on air."
- By Mike Eckel
Putin's annual news conferences have become somewhat of a spectacle-- and not just because of Putin's skills as a showman.
In recent years, reporters have resorted to ever-more outlandish ways to try and get the attention of Putin. Some have drawn up sizable posters or signs, identifying where they're from.
Last year, some reporters started donning strange head-gear, and even costumes. One even came dressed as Snegurochka-- the Snow Maiden, from Russian folk tales, as TV Rain (Дождь) reminded.
Unclear if that trend will continue this year.
Stay tuned!
Just like last year, the Kremlin announced that a record number of journalists have been accredited. Many haven’t got seats and are standing around wherever possible.
- By Mike Eckel
First question at Putin's news conference goes to Mayak radio (state-run radio), about climate change and the Paris agreement.
Putin uses the opportunity to diss on the United States, which he asserts is the largest emitter of greenhouse warming gases in the world. And he waxes (somewhat) philosophical about the dangers of a warming planet to humanity.
He also says that Russia's forests will compensate for increased carbon dioxide emissions.
(several reporters have noted that December has been unusually warm in Moscow...)
- By Mike Eckel
Second question goes to a reporter from Kamchatka, the Pacific peninsula that is closer to Alaska than it is to Moscow.
Appears that signs like this one (which says "Kamchatka: 15 Years Without A Question") may be helping reporters' get Putin's attention.
The woman complains about the rising cost of airline tickets to the peninsula and she cracks a jokes that Putin hasn't visited because he can’t afford a ticket.
During last year's press conference, questions seemed to have been coordinated in advance, and many journalists appeared to be chosen to ask questions based on the signs they were waving from their seats.
Like these, for example:
According to Russian media reports, this year posters, flags, and other such items are not allowed.
At this year's press conference, many attendees are drawing attention with national attire, both from Russia’s ethnic republics and other countries. This Bulgarian journalist brought a traditional toy and dressed in national costume.
- By Mike Eckel
Trash-- in particular municipal solid waste from Moscow and the Moscow region-- has been a source of growing public unhappiness among Russians.
There've been persistent protests in the northern Arkhangelsk region about plans to build a giant landfill at Shiyes. And the Yadrovo landfill, in the Moscow region, has seen locals blocking a highway, as they complained the landfill was emitting harmful fumes.
Putin takes on the question of landfills, trash, dumps, rubbish, etc. for his third question. After a disquisition about global problems, he seems to dodge the issue... and he doesn't say the name "Shiyes."
"If the whole world will resolve this problem (of rubbish), then we will be able to resolve it," he says.